Stuff Happens: Fadi

Stuff Happens

by Scot Gardner

Stuff happens sometimes.

Everyday stuff.

At school, at home, with sport, with mates.

For Fadi it happened when he got in trouble for tackling Jack at lunchtime.

Spinning out of Jack by Tony Wilson, Fadi gets his own story. Fadi is big and strong and hasn't quite grown into his body. He's a gun on the rugby field where his strength and size is an advantage, and at home with his Islander family his size fits, but off the field and out of home he sometimes breaks things (people's science projects, Jack's arm - but that was an accident!). With the help of his uncle and cousins, Fadi learns to put some grace to his movement - and develop some seriously cool dance moves.

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2015

About the author

Scot Gardner wasn't born reading and writing; in fact, he left school in year eleven to undertake an apprenticeship in gardening with the local council. He has worked as a waiter, masseur, delivery truck driver, home dad, counselor, and musician.

These days he spends half the year writing and half the year on the road talking to people about his books and the craft of writing.

Reviews

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at growing up and the problems faced with trying to understand life and just with the physical issues and knowing how to limit yourself and what is appropriate in what context. A solid read with a lot that can be mulled over and discussed.

[Fiona Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the Stuff happens series and will relate to Pasifika boys. Fadi is older than the other kids and has had a growth spurt which has left him very clumsy and feeling out of place. He's struggling to not hurt others, manage the lack of movement and rough and tumble allowed at school, struggling with physicality in general. His step father and brothers give him some ideas and he works out ways to manage.