Somewhere Around the Corner

by Jackie French

Attending a political demonstration, Barbara hears someone say that a better world is just around the corner, and when she closes her eyes to imagine this better world, she is transported to the past outside of Sydney, Australia.

Genres: Childrens, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Time Travel, Australia, Historical

230 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Jackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite novels when I was in primary school. I read it so many times. I loved Barbara. I loved the time travel theme and reading about what things were like during the depression. Interesting stuff. The characters felt so real to me. I've probably read this book more than any other book. I don't tend to re-read much now I'm an adult as there are so many books I want to read and so little time! I miss that joy of being so immersed in a story and loving it so much, you can just sit there and read it 3 times in a row. Only a kid can do that. I'd like to read this book again now but am hesitant that adult me won't like it anymore and I don't want to ruin good memories. I still have my old copy too!

[Mandy ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books in primary school. Jackie French really intensified my love of reading and history as well as a fascination with time travel!

[Jennifer Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that started it all (I was about 10). This is the book that started my addiction to reading to the point where my parents tried to make me stop and do something else. I already read but after this beauty created a monster. I haven't read it since (i read it about 14 yrs ago) but i still read the odd Jackie French novel.

[Isla Went · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid one

[Selin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually kind of life changing for a mandatory 6th grade read

[Grace serpell]

this was one of the best books that i have ever read it was about oh i won't tell youjust read it. it is strange but great!!

[Rylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Jackie French book I've read. It was really good!! I found it interesting how Babara was in the Great Depression, then she walked around the corner and went back in time!!!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is ALWAYS grand when there is a Jackie French historical fiction novel to accompany your unit study!! This was a fabulous book about The Great Depression in Australia. My eldest son and I enjoyed it tremendously.

[Leif]

Good book

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie can do no wrong

Gosh, it's weird thinking that 1994 is so long ago now.... A time travel story with all the heartbreak and hope that Ms French does so well. Thank you.

[Emily McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first books I read and made me love the adventure of reading.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love it as much as I did the first time, but I can see that a lot of the things I enjoy reading today stem from elements of this book, which is pretty cool.

[Jayde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much as a kid and guess what - it still holds up! Foster kid Barbara, scared and afraid, is given advice by an old man to think of a place 'somewhere around the corner' and go there when she is most afraid. In her most terrified moment, Barbara does this and finds herself in 1930s Sydney, where she is taken in by a family who live in poverty in a 'susso' camp. The magical element of going 'somewhere around the corner' always drew me in, as well as the fascinating lives of the sussos, who in true children's book style make the best of their lives all while dreaming of a better tomorrow. Like Barbara, I always felt enchanted by the simple times of 1932 (despite the poverty), while the O'Reillys are fascinated by our 'tomorrow,' with vaccines for simple illnesses and a school for every child. A lovely Australian children's book.

[Aeriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is one of the best children's novel I've ever read. I find the travel theme very intriguing which makes the story very interesting. I admire how the plot progressed, which aroused my curiosity in discovering the resolution behind Barbara's adventure from the past. I love how the author valued every character, from Barbara, Young Jim, Thellie, and so on... There's so many things to learn in this novel. I love how it manifests the value of a real home, family, and especially dreams. This is the type of book that depicts that there's nothing wrong with dreaming somewhere around the corner. Barbara's wit and courage gave ambition to the people of Poverty Gully which is very admirable for a heroine. I'm also happy for Young Jim for his determination, who aspire to stood up and change the world someday.So much love for this novel. This is a great book for any ages.

[Michelle Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara is a young girl who is suddenly whisked from the 1990s back in time to the Great Depression. This is a time travel book done well. It has an event that causes the girl to travel through time and another event which returns her to her time. Barbara comes full circle in her travel and it is a better attempt than some of Jackie French's other time travel stories.
Barbara is a foster kid because her mum is a drug addict. She is lost in her time. But in 1934 she finds love and acceptance from a family who are dirt poor. The O'Reilly family offer Barbara a sense of belonging which is lacking in her own time.
This is a fantastic novel to show what the Great Depression was really like. How unemployment and poverty didn't discriminate based on class. Suitable for upper primary students.

[Jacqy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl faces challenges and such fear that she finds herself inextricably propelled back in time to 1932, in the years of the Great Depression in New South Wales. It is there she finds comfort, love, family and friendship, and finally feels a real sense of belonging. The reader is hooked from the very beginning, wondering what has happened to the young girl, where her parents are, and later, will she stay in the past for the rest of her life or will she somehow return to the future? The characters are well developed and inspire empathy as opposed to sympathy, and Jackie French's brilliance in bringing the past alive for young readers is a delight.

[Sharmaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books, ever - I re-read it every year. It has realistic, interesting characters and capivating descriptions. Jackie French has an amazing talent for creating characters and you feel like part of the family by the end of the book. Somewhere Around the Corner takes a special look at a slice of Australian history - but in an entertaining and engrossing way.

[Asha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book another one of my jackie french favourites. (It is really hard to decide between quite a few of them, there're all so good) i love how it all ties up at the end and it leaves you wondering if it really did happen. Great book about the depression. It reminds you that not everything is as depressing as it seems.

[Brit McCarthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

At around the age of 9 or 10, I could not get enough of Jackie French's books. Ten years later rediscovering old favourites I found that not much has changed. French made me believe in the unbelievable and guess what? I still do. I will be hanging onto these books to give to my own children to read. Timeless.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book to get out of a English test in 7th grade. I ended up loving so much that I never gave it back to the teacher that lent it to me. Thanks Mrs. Sullivan, you were one of the best teachers I ever had.

[Charmaine Clancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for exploring the time of the depression. I wasn't completely sold on the time travel theme, it seemed unnecessary as all the 'story' took place in the 30's. I did like the characters and learning about the era. Looking forward to starting another Jackie French novel.

[Elleisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

School appointed book. Mrs Huth picked the best books and this one is no exception. Take a trip through time with Jackie French.

[Just · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Jackie French read for young readers. Have really enjoyed discovering this author.

[JoJo Kirkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My aunty got this book for me when I was a teenager, and I have loved this book ever since.

[Piper · Rating 2 out of 5]

cool :)

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this!! I love Australian books and I love time travel books, so this combined the two :) it was a good story.

[Cooper Murphy]

It's a great entertainer

5 out of 5 I gave this because there is no way else to put it its just amazing thanks

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was so interesting to learn that if you just believe that something can happen, it may happen.

[Adelle K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

didnt like it overall. it had a great beginning and an amazing end but it needed action or suspense during the plot/middle.

[Scott Fisher · Rating 1 out of 5]

expository