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Thirst
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 17, 2019
This book had me hooked from the start. I loved all aspects of this book and I thought the ending was written really well.
October 17, 2015
Really enjoyed this story about two foster children trying to survive in the Australian outback. The plot was engaging and moved along at a good pace. The characters were very real. Karanda's character was great - Raw, tough and unlikeable on the outside, with the softer, more likeable,characteristics of her personality building up and shining through once she developed a little more acceptance of her self and a new friend. This book reminds us of what it means to be human. To thrive we need food, water, family and love.
June 6, 2015
Thirst was a unique mixture of contemporary, coming of age and survival in the Australia outback. The storyline follows Karanda, angry, volatile and now having caused the accident that has left her and Solomon stranded, believes she's a wanted girl. Solomon barely speaks, his quiet intelligence and observations can be thanked for keeping the two children alive. All Karanda wants to do is escape another foster home, and tries several times to walk away from Solomon, happy to leave the eight year old boy to fend for himself. The underlying message of hope, family and acceptance is overwhelmed by Karanda's too abrasive personality and I'm not sure the intended middle grade audience will understand her anger towards Solomon stemming from her previous foster situations.
I really enjoyed the survival aspect, as implausible as it was and Solomon's knowledge of bush survival. The descriptive world was incredibly vivid and Lizzie Wilcock created a realistic landscape that was both beautiful and terrifying, that was able to hold my interest. I really enjoyed the ending, and children will enjoy that Karanda was able to find redemption after her ordeal.
I really enjoyed the survival aspect, as implausible as it was and Solomon's knowledge of bush survival. The descriptive world was incredibly vivid and Lizzie Wilcock created a realistic landscape that was both beautiful and terrifying, that was able to hold my interest. I really enjoyed the ending, and children will enjoy that Karanda was able to find redemption after her ordeal.
October 29, 2015
I enjoyed this book. Easy to read,though at times it was emotive. Deals with death and abandonment of kids, foster care and the nasty side of the system - not too graphic as it is aimed at younger readers. It would really open some eyes to what it is like for some children and hard i can be too fit in and make friends. Also deals with consequences of actions and forgiveness. Ultimately a book of strength and courage and discovering how to love again. Set against an really interesting backdrop of outback Australia... made me want to research the actual location, bush tucker and the harshness of the outback. Flash-flood description and wildfires excellent - Heaps of learning opportunities.
September 16, 2015
Fantastic from beginning to end - Karanda and Solomon are sufficiently complex to be compelling and the third character - the Australian desert - is magical and terrifying in equal measures. A must read for Yr 8s. Potential text to study.
May 17, 2015
Teenager Karanda and eight year old Solomon have exhausted the supply of foster homes in the town they currently live and are travelling with their carer Paul, just before Christmas, to new foster homes in Alice Springs.
Karanda wants to listen to some pop music on the radio and is messing around with the channels, while Paul doesn't want the music on at all. In the altercation Paul loses control of the car and hits a tree. When Karanda come round she finds Paul has been killed in the accident. Scared of being blamed for the accident and realising this is her chance of freedom she decides to run away, but unfortunately there is eight year old Solomon to consider, so pretending she is going for help she tells him to stay in the car.
Karanda sets off in the middle of the outback, with only her backpack a few clothes and a litre of water. It isn't long before she's dehydrated, exhausted and collapses in the desert. Sometime later she comes round to find that Solomon has followed her and has patched up her head following her fall. For an eight year old he seems to be well prepared having collected the little bit of food Paul bought when they last stopped and the first aid kit from the car.
The story then goes on to tell how these two survive in the outback, through flash flooding, bush fires and starvation before finally being rescued.
It's a lovely story of finding friendship and trust, and very well written, although I find it difficult to believe a teenager and an eight year old would survive in outback conditions for as long as they did.
Karanda wants to listen to some pop music on the radio and is messing around with the channels, while Paul doesn't want the music on at all. In the altercation Paul loses control of the car and hits a tree. When Karanda come round she finds Paul has been killed in the accident. Scared of being blamed for the accident and realising this is her chance of freedom she decides to run away, but unfortunately there is eight year old Solomon to consider, so pretending she is going for help she tells him to stay in the car.
Karanda sets off in the middle of the outback, with only her backpack a few clothes and a litre of water. It isn't long before she's dehydrated, exhausted and collapses in the desert. Sometime later she comes round to find that Solomon has followed her and has patched up her head following her fall. For an eight year old he seems to be well prepared having collected the little bit of food Paul bought when they last stopped and the first aid kit from the car.
The story then goes on to tell how these two survive in the outback, through flash flooding, bush fires and starvation before finally being rescued.
It's a lovely story of finding friendship and trust, and very well written, although I find it difficult to believe a teenager and an eight year old would survive in outback conditions for as long as they did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2017
*Inhalt*
"Auf dem Weg zu ihrer sechsten Pflegefamilie überlebt die 14-jährige Karanda einen Autounfall und findet sich mitten in der australischen Wüste wieder. Ein Rucksack, eine Flasche Wasser und ein verblichenes Foto ihrer Mutter sind alles, was ihr bleibt. Karanda wittert ihre Chance. Endlich kann sie ihr Leben selbst bestimmen. Wäre da nicht der acht Jahre alte Solomon, der mit im Auto saß. Karanda kann ihn nicht im Stich lassen. Und so kämpfen die beiden ums Überleben. Sie sind verlorene Seelen, sie wollen ihrer Zukunft entkommen und werden dabei von ihrer gemeinsamen Vergangenheit eingeholt." (Quelle: Amazon)
*Erster Satz des Buches*
"Kanada blickte aus dem Fenster."
*Infos zum Buch*
Seitenzahl: 250 Seiten
Verlag: Beltz & GelbergVerlag
ISBN: 978-3407823007
Preis: 13,95 € (Taschenbuch) / 12,99 € (E-Book)
*Infos zur Autorin*
"Lizzie Wilcock, eine Grundschullehrerin, hat bereits drei Jugendbücher ("Losing It", "Grieve" und "Give me four reasons") und drei Kinderbücher veröffentlicht. Sie wurde zweimal für den NSW Premier Literary Shortlist-Award nominiert. "Thirst" ist ihre erste Veröffentlichung in Deutschland.." (Quelle: Amazon)
*Fazit*
-> Wieso wollte ich dieses Buch lesen?
Der Klappentext machte mich neugierig und ließ mich in der Erwartung eines hochemotionalen Buches zurück. Aus diesem Grund bewarb ich mich bei Blogg Dein Buch für eines der Exemplare.
-> Cover:
Ein tolles Cover, das nicht nur perfekt zur Geschichte passt, sondern auch ein echter Blickfang ist! Besonders neugierig macht der Satz am unteren Ende "Manchmal musst Du verloren gehen, um gefunden zu werden."
-> Story + Charaktere:
Die Geschichte beginnt mit einem Autounfall und man wird direkt in die Geschichte geworfen, was ich jedoch nicht weiter schlimm fand. Pflegekind Karanda flüchtet direkt nach dem Unfall in die Wüste und erhofft sich, dort nicht gefunden zu werden, denn wer einmal "Pflegestellen-Hopping" hinter sich hat, der ist nicht gerade erpicht darauf, wieder einmal umzuziehen. Doch da hat sie die Rechnung ohne den 8-jährigen Salomon gemacht, der ebenfalls auf dem Weg in eine neue Pflegefamilie war, bevor der Unfall passierte, denn dieser folgt ihr. Davon ist Karanda alles andere als begeistert und versucht mit allen Mitteln den Jungen wieder loszuwerden.
Auch wenn man nur so durch die Seiten fliegt und die 250 Seiten des Buches relativ schnell beendet hat, so habe ich mich stellenweise doch etwas durchgequält - dies lag allerdings weniger an der Beschaffenheit der Geschichte, die ich im Großen und Ganzen nicht nur sehr interessant, sondern auch spannend fand, sondern vielmehr am Charakter der Karanda. Die 14-jährige Protagonistin war mir von Anfang bis Ende dermaßen unsympathisch, dass ich ihr alles böse an den Hals gewünscht habe und nach wie vor der Meinung bin, dass sie die Unterstützung von Salomon überhaupt nicht verdient hat. Sie war nicht nur zickig, sondern auch überheblich, egoistisch und fürchterlich selbstverliebt - kein Wunder, dass keine Pflegestelle mit ihr klargekommen ist! Salomon hingegen ist nicht nur sympathisch und für sein Alter sehr survival-erprobt, sondern auch großzügig und freundlich. Im Grunde will der kleine Junge einfach nur nicht alleine sein und tut alles, um an Karandas Seite bleiben zu können - und womit dankt sie ihm? Sie lässt den Boss raushängen, kommandiert ihn herum wo sie kann und gibt all die Negativ-Erfahrungen, die sie in den verschiednen Pflegestellen gemacht hat, an Salomon weiter. So manches Mal hätte ich dieses unmöglich Weib am liebsten geschüttelt! Hin und wieder kam dann aber doch eine weiche Seite zum Vorschein, die sich aber leider kein Stück weiterentwickelt hat, da sie immer wieder zurück in ihr altes Muster fiel. Schade!
Die Story gefiel mir insgesamt sehr gut, da der Überlebenskampf der beiden Kinder in der Wüste greifbar und realistisch erscheint. Das Ende fand ich vorhersehbar, aber zufriedenstellend.
-> Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und angenehm zu lesen, wenn auch zwischendrin ein wenig ungelenk.
-> Gesamt:
Ein durchschnittliches Werk, bei dem mich die Hauptprotagonistin zur Weißglut trieb, die Story selbst war jedoch lesenswert.
Wertung: 3 von 5 Sterne!
"Auf dem Weg zu ihrer sechsten Pflegefamilie überlebt die 14-jährige Karanda einen Autounfall und findet sich mitten in der australischen Wüste wieder. Ein Rucksack, eine Flasche Wasser und ein verblichenes Foto ihrer Mutter sind alles, was ihr bleibt. Karanda wittert ihre Chance. Endlich kann sie ihr Leben selbst bestimmen. Wäre da nicht der acht Jahre alte Solomon, der mit im Auto saß. Karanda kann ihn nicht im Stich lassen. Und so kämpfen die beiden ums Überleben. Sie sind verlorene Seelen, sie wollen ihrer Zukunft entkommen und werden dabei von ihrer gemeinsamen Vergangenheit eingeholt." (Quelle: Amazon)
*Erster Satz des Buches*
"Kanada blickte aus dem Fenster."
*Infos zum Buch*
Seitenzahl: 250 Seiten
Verlag: Beltz & GelbergVerlag
ISBN: 978-3407823007
Preis: 13,95 € (Taschenbuch) / 12,99 € (E-Book)
*Infos zur Autorin*
"Lizzie Wilcock, eine Grundschullehrerin, hat bereits drei Jugendbücher ("Losing It", "Grieve" und "Give me four reasons") und drei Kinderbücher veröffentlicht. Sie wurde zweimal für den NSW Premier Literary Shortlist-Award nominiert. "Thirst" ist ihre erste Veröffentlichung in Deutschland.." (Quelle: Amazon)
*Fazit*
-> Wieso wollte ich dieses Buch lesen?
Der Klappentext machte mich neugierig und ließ mich in der Erwartung eines hochemotionalen Buches zurück. Aus diesem Grund bewarb ich mich bei Blogg Dein Buch für eines der Exemplare.
-> Cover:
Ein tolles Cover, das nicht nur perfekt zur Geschichte passt, sondern auch ein echter Blickfang ist! Besonders neugierig macht der Satz am unteren Ende "Manchmal musst Du verloren gehen, um gefunden zu werden."
-> Story + Charaktere:
Die Geschichte beginnt mit einem Autounfall und man wird direkt in die Geschichte geworfen, was ich jedoch nicht weiter schlimm fand. Pflegekind Karanda flüchtet direkt nach dem Unfall in die Wüste und erhofft sich, dort nicht gefunden zu werden, denn wer einmal "Pflegestellen-Hopping" hinter sich hat, der ist nicht gerade erpicht darauf, wieder einmal umzuziehen. Doch da hat sie die Rechnung ohne den 8-jährigen Salomon gemacht, der ebenfalls auf dem Weg in eine neue Pflegefamilie war, bevor der Unfall passierte, denn dieser folgt ihr. Davon ist Karanda alles andere als begeistert und versucht mit allen Mitteln den Jungen wieder loszuwerden.
Auch wenn man nur so durch die Seiten fliegt und die 250 Seiten des Buches relativ schnell beendet hat, so habe ich mich stellenweise doch etwas durchgequält - dies lag allerdings weniger an der Beschaffenheit der Geschichte, die ich im Großen und Ganzen nicht nur sehr interessant, sondern auch spannend fand, sondern vielmehr am Charakter der Karanda. Die 14-jährige Protagonistin war mir von Anfang bis Ende dermaßen unsympathisch, dass ich ihr alles böse an den Hals gewünscht habe und nach wie vor der Meinung bin, dass sie die Unterstützung von Salomon überhaupt nicht verdient hat. Sie war nicht nur zickig, sondern auch überheblich, egoistisch und fürchterlich selbstverliebt - kein Wunder, dass keine Pflegestelle mit ihr klargekommen ist! Salomon hingegen ist nicht nur sympathisch und für sein Alter sehr survival-erprobt, sondern auch großzügig und freundlich. Im Grunde will der kleine Junge einfach nur nicht alleine sein und tut alles, um an Karandas Seite bleiben zu können - und womit dankt sie ihm? Sie lässt den Boss raushängen, kommandiert ihn herum wo sie kann und gibt all die Negativ-Erfahrungen, die sie in den verschiednen Pflegestellen gemacht hat, an Salomon weiter. So manches Mal hätte ich dieses unmöglich Weib am liebsten geschüttelt! Hin und wieder kam dann aber doch eine weiche Seite zum Vorschein, die sich aber leider kein Stück weiterentwickelt hat, da sie immer wieder zurück in ihr altes Muster fiel. Schade!
Die Story gefiel mir insgesamt sehr gut, da der Überlebenskampf der beiden Kinder in der Wüste greifbar und realistisch erscheint. Das Ende fand ich vorhersehbar, aber zufriedenstellend.
-> Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und angenehm zu lesen, wenn auch zwischendrin ein wenig ungelenk.
-> Gesamt:
Ein durchschnittliches Werk, bei dem mich die Hauptprotagonistin zur Weißglut trieb, die Story selbst war jedoch lesenswert.
Wertung: 3 von 5 Sterne!
January 5, 2018
I find it harder to critique books for middle readers than for picture books or young adult. I'm not as familiar with the age group and the young adults that pull me in as an adult aren't really suited for younger readers. That said, I'd recommend this book to middle readers. I'd be interested to hear what they had to say.
The story starts with a drive to Alice Springs, Paul is driving Karanda and Solomon to new foster homes. An accident leaves the two children in the outback hiding out. There are times when you have to suspend belief but that didn't bother me. The children were certainly in the outback way longer than you would expect. I read it though as a story a middle schooler might write with elements of truth, but also elements of 'what if'. What if we could live together at a waterhole with food to be found and enough water to drink? There are no adults in the story except in flashbacks. Both the children have no parents any more and the idea of staying out of foster homes is a huge motivator for not wanting to be caught.
The story was told in third person and I think that if it had been first person I would have found it harder to read. Karanda is certainly the focus of the plot and the narrative follows her movements. I don't come across many books about children in the foster system so for that reason too it is a worthwhile read. This is one to keep an open mind about.
The story starts with a drive to Alice Springs, Paul is driving Karanda and Solomon to new foster homes. An accident leaves the two children in the outback hiding out. There are times when you have to suspend belief but that didn't bother me. The children were certainly in the outback way longer than you would expect. I read it though as a story a middle schooler might write with elements of truth, but also elements of 'what if'. What if we could live together at a waterhole with food to be found and enough water to drink? There are no adults in the story except in flashbacks. Both the children have no parents any more and the idea of staying out of foster homes is a huge motivator for not wanting to be caught.
The story was told in third person and I think that if it had been first person I would have found it harder to read. Karanda is certainly the focus of the plot and the narrative follows her movements. I don't come across many books about children in the foster system so for that reason too it is a worthwhile read. This is one to keep an open mind about.
July 17, 2017
Erster Satz:
"Karanda blickte aus dem Fenster.
Meine Meinung zum Buch:
Das Buch habe ich in der Vorschau gesehen und war sofort von Titel und Klappentext angetan, sodass ich nicht lange nachdenken musste, um zu wissen, dass ich das Buch unbedingt lesen muss. Die Grundidee ist wirklich toll, die Umsetzung lässt allerdings zu wünschen übrig. Obwohl Karanda und Solomon es in der Wüste alles andere als leicht haben, konnte ich so gar keine Verbindung zu den beiden aufbauen. Mir lief alles einfach viel zu glatt. Zudem fand ich die Zusammenstellung der Charaktere gerade zu Beginn der Story einfach schrecklich. Dies hat sich erst im Laufe der Story geändert, denn beide ergänzen sich fantastisch. Sie ist eher die Jägerin, er kennt sich dafür mit verschiedenen Pflanzen, Tieren usw. aus.
Dennoch sind beide keine Sympathieträger. Sie, Karanda, ist ein zickiger Tennie. Zudem ist sie alles andere als sympathisch und eckt mit ihren Aussagen sehr oft an. Er, Solomon, ist mit seinen 8 Jahren zwar ein kluges Köpfchen, dennoch fand ich ihn unglaublich nervig ^^
Der Schreibstil ist nichts weltbewegendes. Mit kurzen, knappen Sätzen bringt die Autorin die Handlung auf den Punkt.
Fazit:
"Brennender Durst: Manchmal musst du verloren gehen, um gefunden zu werden" von Lizzie Wilcock ist ein kurzlebiger Roman mit einer tollen Grundidee. Die Umsetzung ließ allerdings zu wünschen übrig, sodass ich dem Buch am Ende dann doch "nur" 3 Sterne geben konnte.
Das Buch erhält von mir 3 von 5 Federn
"Karanda blickte aus dem Fenster.
Meine Meinung zum Buch:
Das Buch habe ich in der Vorschau gesehen und war sofort von Titel und Klappentext angetan, sodass ich nicht lange nachdenken musste, um zu wissen, dass ich das Buch unbedingt lesen muss. Die Grundidee ist wirklich toll, die Umsetzung lässt allerdings zu wünschen übrig. Obwohl Karanda und Solomon es in der Wüste alles andere als leicht haben, konnte ich so gar keine Verbindung zu den beiden aufbauen. Mir lief alles einfach viel zu glatt. Zudem fand ich die Zusammenstellung der Charaktere gerade zu Beginn der Story einfach schrecklich. Dies hat sich erst im Laufe der Story geändert, denn beide ergänzen sich fantastisch. Sie ist eher die Jägerin, er kennt sich dafür mit verschiedenen Pflanzen, Tieren usw. aus.
Dennoch sind beide keine Sympathieträger. Sie, Karanda, ist ein zickiger Tennie. Zudem ist sie alles andere als sympathisch und eckt mit ihren Aussagen sehr oft an. Er, Solomon, ist mit seinen 8 Jahren zwar ein kluges Köpfchen, dennoch fand ich ihn unglaublich nervig ^^
Der Schreibstil ist nichts weltbewegendes. Mit kurzen, knappen Sätzen bringt die Autorin die Handlung auf den Punkt.
Fazit:
"Brennender Durst: Manchmal musst du verloren gehen, um gefunden zu werden" von Lizzie Wilcock ist ein kurzlebiger Roman mit einer tollen Grundidee. Die Umsetzung ließ allerdings zu wünschen übrig, sodass ich dem Buch am Ende dann doch "nur" 3 Sterne geben konnte.
Das Buch erhält von mir 3 von 5 Federn
December 22, 2018
I read this because a student in my form class had. It seemed quite popular: A sweet survival story, similar to Paulsen's Hatchet, but set in Australia's desert where the two main characters deal with kangaroos, mosquitoes, dingos, possums, snakes, fish, rabbits, and grubs taking on roles like "hunter, gatherer, fire-tenderer, nurse…and now masterchef!" It begins with a car accident and ends with a helicopter ride. Along the way, Mother Nature appears in the form of sun, rain, floods and fires. From a hurt ankle and a lonely Christmas to mended hearts, Karanda and Solomon discover themselves in this story about destruction and acceptance. The underlying survival story is that of the adopted child and the need to belong: "...despite all her bravado and independence and declarations of not needing anybody and wanting to be alone, she felt afraid." She had always been "Thirsty for those other things we need so we can survive in this crazy world. Love. Family. A feeling of belonging. I’ve always been thirsty for those."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2017
I felt that this book was quite boring
April 4, 2018
Fabulous book filled with great descriptions.
July 4, 2021
3.5- although I did read in a few hours.
August 1, 2021
I think everything that could possibly happen in the outback happened in the space of a week in this book, jam packed & good for all ages, mid-primary school and up
May 5, 2022
Good book
June 9, 2022
a really good book, recommend for all ages
September 20, 2022
i used to think about this book all the time and i completely forgot about it, i need to find it and re-read it immediately
March 3, 2017
This is a wonderful read and would raise much discussion concerning such issues as: foster children, youth crime, Australian environment, desert survival, indigenous children
October 29, 2024
rip raven
May 29, 2015
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Karanda has passed through 5 foster homes, and it's not exactly clear why. But the thing is, her behaviour has been getting worse over time. She's snarky and completely wary of people - so when she gets the desert all to herself, it seems like the best thing for her. Sol is used to being abandoned - in fact, if you were to count foster homes, he's been through more than her! But he craves human contact - and Karanda is all he has left.
There is a lot of 'Auzzie'-ness in this novel that is going to appeal to locals and overseas people alike. Who doesn't love cute possums? Something that I felt was an inconsistency was how Karanda's blood lust rose and fell. Is it just the environment, the challenges, allowing her to cry? It doesn't seem like something she does very often.
Even as their lives entwine, Sol and Karanda have a past together that only one of them knows. The thing that got me going was that I didn't know what colour their skins were - I assume Caucasian - but it didn't matter to them. The adversity exposes their secrets, even if all the reader usually hears is from Karanda's perspective.
It urked me that the author kept referring to Sol and Karanda as 'children'. Both of them have seen enough of life to no longer be considered children in my mind, and most of their behaviour was as adult-like as it could be in the situation. Otherwise they simply wouldn't survive.
The ending was very satisfying, right in line with the rest of the novel. What I enjoyed best was that things were never predictable. I fully felt that one of them could die at any point, they could starve, they could die from infection. It adds a bit of spice to a novel which could otherwise because just another bush-survival tale, just pointed at children.
Did I think it was coincidence about the helicopter coming at that point in time? No. Now that I think about it, it's obvious that it is the natural events going on, not the two kids. And the car? I don't even know.
Was I blown away by this? Not really. But for the right audience? For sure. It's pleasurable, light reading. 3-stars for adult readers, a generous 4 for it's designated audience of younger teens.
Karanda has passed through 5 foster homes, and it's not exactly clear why. But the thing is, her behaviour has been getting worse over time. She's snarky and completely wary of people - so when she gets the desert all to herself, it seems like the best thing for her. Sol is used to being abandoned - in fact, if you were to count foster homes, he's been through more than her! But he craves human contact - and Karanda is all he has left.
There is a lot of 'Auzzie'-ness in this novel that is going to appeal to locals and overseas people alike. Who doesn't love cute possums? Something that I felt was an inconsistency was how Karanda's blood lust rose and fell. Is it just the environment, the challenges, allowing her to cry? It doesn't seem like something she does very often.
Even as their lives entwine, Sol and Karanda have a past together that only one of them knows. The thing that got me going was that I didn't know what colour their skins were - I assume Caucasian - but it didn't matter to them. The adversity exposes their secrets, even if all the reader usually hears is from Karanda's perspective.
It urked me that the author kept referring to Sol and Karanda as 'children'. Both of them have seen enough of life to no longer be considered children in my mind, and most of their behaviour was as adult-like as it could be in the situation. Otherwise they simply wouldn't survive.
The ending was very satisfying, right in line with the rest of the novel. What I enjoyed best was that things were never predictable. I fully felt that one of them could die at any point, they could starve, they could die from infection. It adds a bit of spice to a novel which could otherwise because just another bush-survival tale, just pointed at children.
Did I think it was coincidence about the helicopter coming at that point in time? No. Now that I think about it, it's obvious that it is the natural events going on, not the two kids. And the car? I don't even know.
Was I blown away by this? Not really. But for the right audience? For sure. It's pleasurable, light reading. 3-stars for adult readers, a generous 4 for it's designated audience of younger teens.
June 23, 2015
Thirst is an Australian survival story, dealing with two run-aways from the foster system. Based in the Outback in the Northern Territory, the book looks at ideas of surviving in the desert with only the shirts on the kid’s backs, and a first aid kit.
The book is very easy to read, and seems to follow a logical series of events, it explores the desert and what it might be to survive in the Australian Outback, assuming of course that one had some sense of bush tucker, and had the luck to stumble upon a waterhole.
Although the book is well written, and the characters are mostly believable, some of the events that take place in the book just do not seem to work to the books credit. The characters do not seem to develop throughout the book; we are left with basically the same characters from beginning to end. And whilst this could be explained (and it is attempted) it is not done in a rewarding way.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, it managed to keep me reading and reading, I just felt it fell away towards the end, and did not really find itself again. The book would work in the Primary School context, but it does not really live up to other desert / survival books such as Holes.
The book is very easy to read, and seems to follow a logical series of events, it explores the desert and what it might be to survive in the Australian Outback, assuming of course that one had some sense of bush tucker, and had the luck to stumble upon a waterhole.
Although the book is well written, and the characters are mostly believable, some of the events that take place in the book just do not seem to work to the books credit. The characters do not seem to develop throughout the book; we are left with basically the same characters from beginning to end. And whilst this could be explained (and it is attempted) it is not done in a rewarding way.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, it managed to keep me reading and reading, I just felt it fell away towards the end, and did not really find itself again. The book would work in the Primary School context, but it does not really live up to other desert / survival books such as Holes.
June 26, 2015
Thirst by Lizzie Wilcock is a survival story, however it was pushing the boundaries of realism. Two foster children are involved in a car crash in the Australian desert and have to learn to survive by themselves. It was a very predictable narrative and a little too contrived. The text was a little boring and did not move quickly.
I was looking at this book for a year 7 class novel, however it does not hold realistic cliffhangers and it seemed as if the author had a list of Australian animals, plants and situations that needed to be included. I guess that is what the book felt like, a list of events.
As a comparison to novels such as Hatchet, Camel Rider or Pavarna, it was left wanting.
As a novel about the issues of fostering, there was some merit, but I feel this could have been approached with a completely different plot.
The novel was easy to read, and it did give valid descriptions of the landscape of the Australian desert.
I was looking at this book for a year 7 class novel, however it does not hold realistic cliffhangers and it seemed as if the author had a list of Australian animals, plants and situations that needed to be included. I guess that is what the book felt like, a list of events.
As a comparison to novels such as Hatchet, Camel Rider or Pavarna, it was left wanting.
As a novel about the issues of fostering, there was some merit, but I feel this could have been approached with a completely different plot.
The novel was easy to read, and it did give valid descriptions of the landscape of the Australian desert.
December 26, 2015
Thirst started with explosive promise. The plot promise of a foster kid gone rouge and wondering reeled me in however after stumbling through the desert with Karanda and her uninvited sidekick, Solomon, I too became a little disorientated and off track with the story. Whilst I enjoyed the reference to desert survival and my knowledge of bush tucker was enhanced somewhat, the way this information was imparted felt a little forced and implausible at times. The outback setting was the magnet that kept me in this story in spite of a character that I never really felt a strong liking for. Having a main character with so many oozing and obvious flaws is fine but her behaviour is hard to forgive at times and therefore gives the reader less incentive to stay on her side. Unlike the flash floods of Thirst, my emotions were never really turned on in full force by this novel although I think upper primary to lower high school readers may well find Kandy and Sol's plight an absorbing, easy read.
November 2, 2015
This is probably a 3.5 star book for me. It tells the story of two young foster children involved in a car accident (which kills the driver) and how they survive in the middle of the desert. So many terrible things happen to Solomon and Karanda in the desert it just didn't feel very realistic to me.
June 17, 2016
I absolutely loved this book! It is very descriptive and really sets the scene of the Australian Outback. I wouldn't have read any other book the day I got it! There are some many surprising twists and turns throughout the book, with some not so great endings and some fantastic ones. It ends on a fantastic cliff hanger!
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June 25, 2015Not rating because I ultimately skimmed it. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me.
July 4, 2015
I loved this book. Simple story, but so touching. About the lessons that dance learnt. About surviving, about hope. About life.
July 5, 2015
I read this in one sitting, loved the survival aspect of the story and the snappy dialogue from Karanda was a hoot. Poignant look at foster care as well.
November 30, 2015
Thirst, was pretty cool there were cool things they did to survive and the backstories that came through were good as well!
July 4, 2022
Special place in my heart as it was the book that made me fall in love with books again
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