Message from Avalon

by Jenny Wagner

182 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1990

About the author

In 1974, Jenny Wagner's book 'The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek' won The Children's Book Council of Australia's Picture Book of the Year Award as well as a Special Award in Book of the Year for that year.

Her book, 'Aranea: a story about a spider' was commended in the 1976 Picture Book of the Year awards.

'John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat' was winner in 1978 of the Picture Book of the Year award.

Jenny Wagner continues to write picture books and shorter fiction that are much loved by children.

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite childhood books is Jenny Wagner’s Nimbin, so I was delighted when I came across Message From Avalon. As was the case for the Nimbin, the characters feel so real. The Lovetts are your typical Aussie battlers, making there way through life as best they can, and Wagner accurately portrays the dynamics that often exist in a family, particularly those between siblings. There are your usual tiffs between the 4 children - as well as their parents. Yet despite the foibles of all the characters, the unconditional love and acceptance of each for the other comes through clearly. So as a family, the Lovetts are completely believable, as are many of the settings and events - even though there is a ghost and a haunted house! So I found the story resonated with my own experiences growing up in Australia, heightening the story’s appeal and my enjoyment. If you enjoyed the Nimbin, I highly recommend trying to get a hold of Message From Avalon.

[SBC · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story had a decent plot and writing style but I didn't enjoy the characterisation and thus impression of the narrator (third person limited, through Kelly). Kelly was a bit stupid with her beliefs in Avalon and her idea of how much money is worth (something she got from her father I think). This was meant to show her growing up, as was her relationships with her two sisters, Debbie the older and Leanne the younger. Debbie was a nasty older sister but I think meant to be normal. This was a ghost story. The ghost, Annie, is able to teach Kelly not to let class differences/money get in the way of love like she did. She never spoke her thoughts or heart to Henry, whose house she cleaned in since a very young child, and he got engaged to a snob then died of influenza after the war, in France. At the end they sell the house to their neighbours the Lovetts who think there is treasure buried there but it was just Annie's letters, which Kelly has already dug up and given to Julian as a way of telling him she likes him. At the end Julian defies his mother and dares to be her friend/boyfriend. Okay but not characters I could really relate to.

[Daina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book is about a family who wins the lottery and moves into an old house with a past of it's own. I loved this book as a young teen, as it has the right amount of spooky thrill, but doesn't keep you awake at night.

It includes creepy broken cherub faces on the fireplace, a ghost bathroom, and a sundial that moves.