Uncle Xbox

by Jared Thomas

A coming-of-age story for young readers, that offers gentle insights into growing up, family and finding your place in a digital world. Or not.

Dusty spends a lot of time playing games online, and usually with his stepdad, Marcus. One Saturday morning, Marcus loads his things into his car and leaves. He takes his Xbox. Dusty is determined to buy an Xbox of his own and tries odd jobs that don’t quite work out. That is until cool Uncle Rick turns up. Uncle Rick introduces Dusty to surfing and teaches him about culture and Country. Dusty swiftly discovers that there is more to life than gaming.

64 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2023

About the author

Jared Thomas was born in Port Augusta in 1976. Both his parents have Aboriginal heritage, and he identifies as Nukunu due to being raised on Nukunu land and with Nukunu culture. He has published many books and his writing explores the power of belonging and culture. In 2015 his novel Calypso Summer joined the 2015 International Youth Library White Raven list of books that deserve worldwide attention because of their universal themes and exceptional artistic and literary style. His recent releases include Songs That Sound Like Blood and the Game Day series written with NBA player Patty Mills.

Reviews

[Merridy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this before reading with my class, we read this as a class novel this week. It’s one of the first books we’ve read that they have all engaged with. Our average rating as a group was 9.6/10 stars.

The children reviewed the book and said things like: if you like soccer, surfing, video games or camping you’ll love this book. I liked how it was full of action, he was always doing something. I liked that my prediction came true. I liked how it was quick.

The best class novel I’ve ever read to a group!

It was also lovely, because the kids had met Jared a few weeks ago, they then asked to read this book and then heard lots of his stories within the book

[rachel, x · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ★

i wish this had been a little longer but it's a beautiful story full of heart & family

➸ Trigger warnings for financial difficulties, mentions of racist bullying.

▷ Representation: Indigenous Australian mc & scs.

Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph

[Laura Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome story about a young fella learning the value of working for things you want, and accidentally learning about family and friendship.

[Sarah Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this one

[Book Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a revolutionary masterpiece created by the author Jared Thomas, an Australian author that has been around for a long time. I had recently met him at the Writer's Festival and I found that he had gained his inspirations from his memory and other cultural icons around the world.
The book Uncle Xbox adventures through a 12 year old boy called Dusty. His family dynamic is revealed as he is shown to play Xbox with his stepfather, Marcus.
One day, Marcus has left the family, along with the Xbox.
In this book filled with hilarious scenes, Dusty is required to try and find the Xbox with no luck and has to get a job in order to buy a new one.
His job seems to be rooted from various sources, but they all fail.
Furthermore, his Uncle Rick arrives and he teaches Marcus about the way of cultural life and surfing. The uncle eventually buys him an Xbox.

But the book is not only privileged by the storyline, but also by the following:
-The description of family dynamics and how they seriously affect the plot and how Dusty behaves
-Cultural life studying his Uncle Rick and the uncle's strange behaviour, linking to the cultural plot
-The advocate for child protection
-The wild rules of surfing life

All this contributes to the plot and the perfection of this book. I recommend you to read this book, and have a look at all the other books that Jared Thomas has written, as it is truly incredible.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dusty can’t believe it. His dad left, and now his stepfather had left. It seemed like the people he loved up and left. And his stepfather took the Xbox.
Dusty sulked and whinged and nagged his mother to buy him an Xbox, but she was saving for a car and couldn’t work much, looking after Dusty and his baby sister Mary. Dusty decided he needed a job.
Diego, an older man living down the street, has a sore leg and needs help with his chickens, mowing his grass, and keeping the garden tidy. Dusty works hard and starts to save, but he needs new soccer boots. He also has to buy a birthday present for his friend, so it looks like it will take ages to save for an Xbox.
Uncle Rick comes to stay and teaches Dusty to surf. Dusty works out he likes to surf probably more than playing on his Xbox.
I enjoyed the gentle way Dusty starts to find himself and what he likes to do.
Recommended for readers eight years and older.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read with a great focus on family and finding yourself.

[Kristel Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was okay but it wasn't my favourite book that I've read with my students.