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Kate
YA novel: Relationships are important. Kate face challenges, at school and at home especially after the death of her mother. She's unexpectedly helped by 'Coz' Mal who is streetwise and even the 'lost' dog he gives her. Her 'mentor' is the artist Frida Kahlo, best known for her self portraits whom Kate uses as a reference for how she might act.
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First published November 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 22, 2013
A good read. The YA relationships were well drawn between Kate and the streetwise 'Coz' a.k.a. Mal, but also complicated by friend Jess.
And the DOG is a character in its own right. (p 89) This was no longer a terrified mutt but a dog primed for adventure'. And for an unhappy or vulnerable adolescent, a dog provides an emotional outlet. That's credible too.
Keen eye for details.Understandably Kevin Burgemeestre paints settings in words in 'Kate' because he is an illustrator.The driving sequences with the farm vehicle are dramatic and sound mechanically accurate. And their fun painting of the vehicle sounds like the author-illustrator was drawing on experience.
The chapter headings and use of text messages add to the suspense. And a few nice twists of plot. But it's the way Kate uses as her hypothetical personal mentor, the artist ' Frida Kahlo' that the idea of a young girl seeking guidance in crafting her life is taken to another level. This artist did self portraits. Kate is painting herself.
As minor characters the father and especially the older Mini provide a compassionate framework for a coming of age novel.
A few scenes could have been a bit shorter, but overall it's the depth of the relationships which leaves the reader caring for the major characters.
And the DOG is a character in its own right. (p 89) This was no longer a terrified mutt but a dog primed for adventure'. And for an unhappy or vulnerable adolescent, a dog provides an emotional outlet. That's credible too.
Keen eye for details.Understandably Kevin Burgemeestre paints settings in words in 'Kate' because he is an illustrator.The driving sequences with the farm vehicle are dramatic and sound mechanically accurate. And their fun painting of the vehicle sounds like the author-illustrator was drawing on experience.
The chapter headings and use of text messages add to the suspense. And a few nice twists of plot. But it's the way Kate uses as her hypothetical personal mentor, the artist ' Frida Kahlo' that the idea of a young girl seeking guidance in crafting her life is taken to another level. This artist did self portraits. Kate is painting herself.
As minor characters the father and especially the older Mini provide a compassionate framework for a coming of age novel.
A few scenes could have been a bit shorter, but overall it's the depth of the relationships which leaves the reader caring for the major characters.
December 1, 2013
This is an excellent first up YA novel by the author. The two main character's Kate and Mal, and the dog Wilde, are evocatively drawn. They are heroes with flaws, believable and utterly real. The thing that really struck me about the story is that is flowed, really flowed, so that I'd sit down to read a few pages and chapters flew by. Everything seemed seamless until suddenly I was at the end, and then came that dreaded moment, I knew this story was coming to an end and I did not want it to.
It has some marvelous actions scenes, a great chase, and I loved the painting of the old Holden (mind given the excellent illustrations in the novel, its obvious the author knows his way around a paintbrush). It moves from city to rural and captures something of the spirit of Australia. Kate is a thoroughly enjoyable book, one that I would recommend to young and old readers alike. I look forward to Kevin Burgemeestre's next novel.
It has some marvelous actions scenes, a great chase, and I loved the painting of the old Holden (mind given the excellent illustrations in the novel, its obvious the author knows his way around a paintbrush). It moves from city to rural and captures something of the spirit of Australia. Kate is a thoroughly enjoyable book, one that I would recommend to young and old readers alike. I look forward to Kevin Burgemeestre's next novel.
January 16, 2014
Two young lives, Kate and Mal, from two totally different backgrounds, are bought together by one small act. From then on, their lives are inextricably intertwined as the two are forced together because of Mal’s past.
Kate’s life had been tainted with sadness, but was a fairly normal young girl’s life. Mal, on the other hand, had had a very traumatic life for one so young and was living on the edge.
When Kate rescues a pathetic looking dog, tied up and injured outside a rough looking property, she meets Mal for the first time when she knocks on his door to ask about the dog and finds him rude, rough and a bit scary. She decides the dog needs care and steals him and takes him to be cared for at the local pound.
Unbeknown to Kate, Mal’s unsavoury past meant he was being watched by some rather nasty characters, and now, she was too.
They meet again when Kate is attacked in the park; Mal comes to her rescue. An unlikely friendship develops and Kate finds herself warmed towards this rough character, but soon his past catches up and Kate is embroiled into a world she didn’t know existed. Before she can gather her thoughts, she’s thrown into fear and confusion as she and Mal, end up running for their lives.
At first, I found this book a little difficult to get into. I found the authors way of writing a little confusing, but once I was able to connect, I enjoyed the read and the story flowed better.
It kept me reading and wanting to know what happens next, especially toward the end when it seemed impossible for them to escape.
It’s fast moving so no time for page skipping.
I’d like to know what happened to their friendship afterwards, how they managed to stay friends and where they’re at now; always a sign of a good book when the characters stay with you once you’ve turned the last page!
I would recommend this book as it covers quite a few spectrums, from loneliness to loyalty and friendship and from regret, failure and anger to achievement, self-worth and encouragement.
An exciting journey from the city to the Australian outback, told in a way that will make you feel you’re there.
Kate’s life had been tainted with sadness, but was a fairly normal young girl’s life. Mal, on the other hand, had had a very traumatic life for one so young and was living on the edge.
When Kate rescues a pathetic looking dog, tied up and injured outside a rough looking property, she meets Mal for the first time when she knocks on his door to ask about the dog and finds him rude, rough and a bit scary. She decides the dog needs care and steals him and takes him to be cared for at the local pound.
Unbeknown to Kate, Mal’s unsavoury past meant he was being watched by some rather nasty characters, and now, she was too.
They meet again when Kate is attacked in the park; Mal comes to her rescue. An unlikely friendship develops and Kate finds herself warmed towards this rough character, but soon his past catches up and Kate is embroiled into a world she didn’t know existed. Before she can gather her thoughts, she’s thrown into fear and confusion as she and Mal, end up running for their lives.
At first, I found this book a little difficult to get into. I found the authors way of writing a little confusing, but once I was able to connect, I enjoyed the read and the story flowed better.
It kept me reading and wanting to know what happens next, especially toward the end when it seemed impossible for them to escape.
It’s fast moving so no time for page skipping.
I’d like to know what happened to their friendship afterwards, how they managed to stay friends and where they’re at now; always a sign of a good book when the characters stay with you once you’ve turned the last page!
I would recommend this book as it covers quite a few spectrums, from loneliness to loyalty and friendship and from regret, failure and anger to achievement, self-worth and encouragement.
An exciting journey from the city to the Australian outback, told in a way that will make you feel you’re there.
March 18, 2014
Kate is an awkward teenager getting over the tragic loss of her mother. Her idol is Frida Kahlo who she admires for her paintings and strength of character. Her friend Jess has moved to Canada, her father works a lot, she feels alone and is afraid of the school bully Jake, and his meathead mates. She doesn’t feel much like her idol until she sees a battered dog and rescues him. That was when she met the dog’s former owner, who was belligerent, and slammed the door in her face.
What follows is a dramatic set of events encroaching on Kate’s life. The bullying borders on physical abuse when she’s walking home through the park, after going to the dog pound to spend time with the battered dog, she called Wilde. Mal, the dog’s former owner comes to her rescue. Kate relies on her own feelings and finds Mal a loner and streetwise, someone she can trust. At the same time she doesn’t realize that Mal is putting her in danger.
The chapters are short and sharp, driving the fast paced story through the chase scenes and eventual alliance with Mal which leaves Kate following this strange boy to the country. Will they get away from their pursuers, and why are they being chased by these criminals?
I love the sketches drawn by Kate that give further insight into this character, the self portrait in Frida Kahlo style, and the doodle of a streetscape with Mal lingering in the shadows. This is a thrilling fast paced YA’s book that immediately grabs the reader by the heartstrings covering grief, puberty, lost friendships, animal abuse, bullying, drug dealers and abandonment issues. That’s a lot to pack in such a slim 254 page volume, but it is well covered in an entertaining way, the characters are people to care about. I recommend this to the teenagers in your family. They will be gripped by the journey of self discovery and the very satisfactory conclusion, which is definitely a twist at the end.
What follows is a dramatic set of events encroaching on Kate’s life. The bullying borders on physical abuse when she’s walking home through the park, after going to the dog pound to spend time with the battered dog, she called Wilde. Mal, the dog’s former owner comes to her rescue. Kate relies on her own feelings and finds Mal a loner and streetwise, someone she can trust. At the same time she doesn’t realize that Mal is putting her in danger.
The chapters are short and sharp, driving the fast paced story through the chase scenes and eventual alliance with Mal which leaves Kate following this strange boy to the country. Will they get away from their pursuers, and why are they being chased by these criminals?
I love the sketches drawn by Kate that give further insight into this character, the self portrait in Frida Kahlo style, and the doodle of a streetscape with Mal lingering in the shadows. This is a thrilling fast paced YA’s book that immediately grabs the reader by the heartstrings covering grief, puberty, lost friendships, animal abuse, bullying, drug dealers and abandonment issues. That’s a lot to pack in such a slim 254 page volume, but it is well covered in an entertaining way, the characters are people to care about. I recommend this to the teenagers in your family. They will be gripped by the journey of self discovery and the very satisfactory conclusion, which is definitely a twist at the end.
March 3, 2015
I had the privilege of meeting Kevin whilst he was the in house writer for an exhibition at The Hatch, where I was volunteering. I bought the book and have just finished reading it, and I have to say i enjoined it! Characters were well thought out and the story line got you involved from page one. Looking forward to the sequel which Kevin was working on. Well done Kevin.
December 6, 2013
Review to come ...
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews