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The Melling Sisters #3
The Sky in Silver Lace
During wintertime the Melling sisters move to the big city with their mother while Dad is away looking for work.
184 pages, Hardcover
First published July 31, 1995
3 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Robin Klein
85 books76 followersWinner of the Dromkeen Medal (1991).
Robin Klein was born 28 February 1936 in Kempsey, New South Wales into a family of nine children. Leaving school at age 15, Klein worked several jobs before becoming established as a writer, having her first story published at age 16. She would go on to write more than 40 books, including Hating Alison Ashley (adapted into a feature film starring Delta Goodrem in 2005), Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left (adapted into a television series for the Seven Network in 1992), and Came Back to Show You I Could Fly (adapted into a film directed by Richard Lowenstein in 1993).
Klein’s books are hugely celebrated, having won the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Award in both the Younger Readers and the Older Readers categories, as well as a Human Rights Award for Literature in 1989 for Came Back to Show You I Could Fly. Klein is widely considered one of Australia’s most prolific and beloved YA authors.
Robin Klein was born 28 February 1936 in Kempsey, New South Wales into a family of nine children. Leaving school at age 15, Klein worked several jobs before becoming established as a writer, having her first story published at age 16. She would go on to write more than 40 books, including Hating Alison Ashley (adapted into a feature film starring Delta Goodrem in 2005), Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left (adapted into a television series for the Seven Network in 1992), and Came Back to Show You I Could Fly (adapted into a film directed by Richard Lowenstein in 1993).
Klein’s books are hugely celebrated, having won the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Award in both the Younger Readers and the Older Readers categories, as well as a Human Rights Award for Literature in 1989 for Came Back to Show You I Could Fly. Klein is widely considered one of Australia’s most prolific and beloved YA authors.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 1, 2012
Warning: this is quite possibly the longest review in the history of ever. It's also quite spoiler-ific.
Awww, this third story of the Melling family is just absolutely lovely! It's been a while since I've read the first two and I think I need to revisit them now. I love how each chapter is more like a short story unto itself: all linear and all loosely joined together, but you could just as easily read them out of order or skip around depending on which sister you favour.
The first chapter is Viv's. They've just moved away from country town Wilgawa to dismal, suburban Lacey's Bay. It's never said specifically where the story is set, but I have a feeling it's Sydney. Viv's being sent on errands, but she's scared of crossing paths with the bully on the bike, Noreen. At the end of the chapter she's playing on the sand when Noreen corners her... and instead of stamping all over Viv's games, she asks if she can play. Love it.
The second chapter is Cathy's, and she and Mum have gone to buy her new school uniform. They're in the huge, posh Dobsons-type place and Mum is loudly exclaiming over the prices of everything and embarrassing Cathy to the hilt, and you really feel for her. You know that the family are not well off, but this is a chapter that can only be read from Cathy's point of view. The writing just pulls you onto her side and you cringe when Mum complains loud enough for everyone to hear, and sigh when she just doesn't understand that when a girl is starting halfway through the year at a city high school, fresh from the country, she's already going to stand out enough and that she needs the correct uniform. If everyone else has gym tunics, then she can't just make do with her shorts! It's even worse when they leave the uniform shop empty-handed, and make their way to an op-shop: now that Mum's seen everything, she can match it up as closely as possible.
It's heartbreaking for poor Cathy, who won a scholarship to this place and is now completely denied the correct uniform. They don't even go to the school's second-hand uniform shop, just to a regular op-shop. Not even Cathy's simple white shirts are bought new: they're second-hand, and boys' ones to boot.
This is kind of the epitome of "parents just don't understand" chapters. When Cathy dares to mention that regulation jumpers aren't hand-knitted, and that they have red stripes around the necks, Mum tells her to get off her high-horse. Cathy's not my favourite sister - that'd be Viv - but this chapter was my favourite of the lot for how evocative it is.
Chapter three is back to Viv again, who has been invited to Dana Highcombe's place to tea and she decides that she and Dana will be kindred spirits, like Diana and Anne Shirley. The chapter is hilarious, as Viv finds out that the only things Dana reads are Biggles and comic books, and as Viv decides that everything on and around Dana's property ought to have a proper name, only for Dana to tell her that things already have names - like Cow Paddock and Dead Dog Creek! Then pesky Cathy shows up and she and Dana hit it off in no time - Viv's storming off home when Dana's "ghastly" little brother appears and tells her there's lots more places to explore and name... and so Viv finds her kindred spirit after all :D
Chapter four is finally Heather's. She's at the same new school as Cathy, two years above, and hasn't any friends yet. This is a fun chapter where she ends up with the part of Bottom in the term play, and a whole bunch of new friends - who had initially thought that she didn't like them!
Chapter five is Viv's again. The family are staying with crotchety old Captain Fuller for a month while Mum's his temporary housekeeper, and cousin Isobel has come to stay. Things have changed between the girls since the Mellings have moved away from the country and this nicely shows the awkwardness between Viv and Isobel. But then it's Isobel who saves the day when the girls get into trouble with the Captain, by actually managing to soften him down by prattling on about his precious flowers.
Chapter six is a close continuation of the fifth - Heather, Cathy and Viv have taken Isobel to the city for the day. But Heather and Cathy spend most of the day showing off, and making fun of Isobel the country bumpkin, who of course tries - and fails - to keep up. And in the end it's Viv who comes around to save her. Really loved this one.
Chapter seven is Cathy's. She, Mum and Grace have gone to ask horrible old Aunt Elsie a favour and while they're there, Cathy wants to procure herself cousin Rita's old hockey stick. This was probably the only chapter I didn't completely adore - Cathy is more looking in from the outside, and Grace is given the leading role, but we've seen very little of Grace up to this point so it's just not as fun.
In chapter eight, Heather is sneaking off to dancing classes with her new best friends. She is asked out by a boy... who spends the entire time admiring his own reflection in shop windows! Quick and funny.
Chapter nine sees Mum taking the girls out to tea to get away from Aunt Elsie, at whose house they're currently staying while their new flat is finished. She bumps into an old friend who cheers her up with some memories, but this is another chapter that just wasn't as perfect as the others.
In chapter ten, at last the Mellings are moving into their new flat! Which sees squabbles all around, where Heather tells Viv not to play on the balcony in case anyone from her school sees and finds out they've moved into housing commission, where Cathy shirks her duties and lets Viv take the fall, and then where Cathy goes and reads Viv's diary! The two younger sisters are sent outside, and Viv tags along after Cathy in the hopes of annoying her further. At least they do get talking again, but then Cathy drops the bombshell on Viv: Dad's not coming back. That came as a shock to me as well, because like Viv I believed that once he'd done the current job he'd be back.
I wish there'd been either more to that chapter, or another one to follow it. The ending just comes too quickly and abruptly and doesn't feel as satisfying as it really ought to, as a goodbye to such a lovely family.
Awww, this third story of the Melling family is just absolutely lovely! It's been a while since I've read the first two and I think I need to revisit them now. I love how each chapter is more like a short story unto itself: all linear and all loosely joined together, but you could just as easily read them out of order or skip around depending on which sister you favour.
The first chapter is Viv's. They've just moved away from country town Wilgawa to dismal, suburban Lacey's Bay. It's never said specifically where the story is set, but I have a feeling it's Sydney. Viv's being sent on errands, but she's scared of crossing paths with the bully on the bike, Noreen. At the end of the chapter she's playing on the sand when Noreen corners her... and instead of stamping all over Viv's games, she asks if she can play. Love it.
The second chapter is Cathy's, and she and Mum have gone to buy her new school uniform. They're in the huge, posh Dobsons-type place and Mum is loudly exclaiming over the prices of everything and embarrassing Cathy to the hilt, and you really feel for her. You know that the family are not well off, but this is a chapter that can only be read from Cathy's point of view. The writing just pulls you onto her side and you cringe when Mum complains loud enough for everyone to hear, and sigh when she just doesn't understand that when a girl is starting halfway through the year at a city high school, fresh from the country, she's already going to stand out enough and that she needs the correct uniform. If everyone else has gym tunics, then she can't just make do with her shorts! It's even worse when they leave the uniform shop empty-handed, and make their way to an op-shop: now that Mum's seen everything, she can match it up as closely as possible.
It's heartbreaking for poor Cathy, who won a scholarship to this place and is now completely denied the correct uniform. They don't even go to the school's second-hand uniform shop, just to a regular op-shop. Not even Cathy's simple white shirts are bought new: they're second-hand, and boys' ones to boot.
This is kind of the epitome of "parents just don't understand" chapters. When Cathy dares to mention that regulation jumpers aren't hand-knitted, and that they have red stripes around the necks, Mum tells her to get off her high-horse. Cathy's not my favourite sister - that'd be Viv - but this chapter was my favourite of the lot for how evocative it is.
Chapter three is back to Viv again, who has been invited to Dana Highcombe's place to tea and she decides that she and Dana will be kindred spirits, like Diana and Anne Shirley. The chapter is hilarious, as Viv finds out that the only things Dana reads are Biggles and comic books, and as Viv decides that everything on and around Dana's property ought to have a proper name, only for Dana to tell her that things already have names - like Cow Paddock and Dead Dog Creek! Then pesky Cathy shows up and she and Dana hit it off in no time - Viv's storming off home when Dana's "ghastly" little brother appears and tells her there's lots more places to explore and name... and so Viv finds her kindred spirit after all :D
Chapter four is finally Heather's. She's at the same new school as Cathy, two years above, and hasn't any friends yet. This is a fun chapter where she ends up with the part of Bottom in the term play, and a whole bunch of new friends - who had initially thought that she didn't like them!
Chapter five is Viv's again. The family are staying with crotchety old Captain Fuller for a month while Mum's his temporary housekeeper, and cousin Isobel has come to stay. Things have changed between the girls since the Mellings have moved away from the country and this nicely shows the awkwardness between Viv and Isobel. But then it's Isobel who saves the day when the girls get into trouble with the Captain, by actually managing to soften him down by prattling on about his precious flowers.
Chapter six is a close continuation of the fifth - Heather, Cathy and Viv have taken Isobel to the city for the day. But Heather and Cathy spend most of the day showing off, and making fun of Isobel the country bumpkin, who of course tries - and fails - to keep up. And in the end it's Viv who comes around to save her. Really loved this one.
Chapter seven is Cathy's. She, Mum and Grace have gone to ask horrible old Aunt Elsie a favour and while they're there, Cathy wants to procure herself cousin Rita's old hockey stick. This was probably the only chapter I didn't completely adore - Cathy is more looking in from the outside, and Grace is given the leading role, but we've seen very little of Grace up to this point so it's just not as fun.
In chapter eight, Heather is sneaking off to dancing classes with her new best friends. She is asked out by a boy... who spends the entire time admiring his own reflection in shop windows! Quick and funny.
Chapter nine sees Mum taking the girls out to tea to get away from Aunt Elsie, at whose house they're currently staying while their new flat is finished. She bumps into an old friend who cheers her up with some memories, but this is another chapter that just wasn't as perfect as the others.
In chapter ten, at last the Mellings are moving into their new flat! Which sees squabbles all around, where Heather tells Viv not to play on the balcony in case anyone from her school sees and finds out they've moved into housing commission, where Cathy shirks her duties and lets Viv take the fall, and then where Cathy goes and reads Viv's diary! The two younger sisters are sent outside, and Viv tags along after Cathy in the hopes of annoying her further. At least they do get talking again, but then Cathy drops the bombshell on Viv: Dad's not coming back. That came as a shock to me as well, because like Viv I believed that once he'd done the current job he'd be back.
I wish there'd been either more to that chapter, or another one to follow it. The ending just comes too quickly and abruptly and doesn't feel as satisfying as it really ought to, as a goodbye to such a lovely family.
April 28, 2017
‘A writer who relishes the drama of everyday life.’
Guardian
‘Robin Klein’s novels are insightful, displaying another time when children and teenagers used their creativity, imagination and resourcefulness to cope without the material pleasures of today’s technology.’
ReadPlus
Guardian
‘Robin Klein’s novels are insightful, displaying another time when children and teenagers used their creativity, imagination and resourcefulness to cope without the material pleasures of today’s technology.’
ReadPlus
November 29, 2025
If you have never read Robin Klein, I recommend you do. And this series is a delight.
This third book in the Melling Sisters trilogy is still a beautifully written story, but if feels more mature than the first two books. The sisters are in new surroundings and the tone deepens in ways that feel honest and quietly powerful.
What I loved most is how the girls begin to see their mother differently. She's shifted from just becoming a rule-giver or the one who holds everything together, but now the sisters see her as a real person with her own weariness, struggles, and strengths. It's a gradual shift that is organic in the story and eventually sneaks up on you, making this even more heartfelt.
In this book life is harder, the father is largely absent, and the shadows of adult problems creep in. But that’s what makes it so engaging is how each sister tries to stay hopeful despite their own awareness. And again, the characters are amazing. In this volume, I especially liked Vivienne, Cathy, and their mother.
The writing is full of warmth and gentle humour but now with an added depth. All three books are full of heart and humanity. I thought this to be a satisfying conclusion to a trilogy I wish were instead a longer series.
This third book in the Melling Sisters trilogy is still a beautifully written story, but if feels more mature than the first two books. The sisters are in new surroundings and the tone deepens in ways that feel honest and quietly powerful.
What I loved most is how the girls begin to see their mother differently. She's shifted from just becoming a rule-giver or the one who holds everything together, but now the sisters see her as a real person with her own weariness, struggles, and strengths. It's a gradual shift that is organic in the story and eventually sneaks up on you, making this even more heartfelt.
In this book life is harder, the father is largely absent, and the shadows of adult problems creep in. But that’s what makes it so engaging is how each sister tries to stay hopeful despite their own awareness. And again, the characters are amazing. In this volume, I especially liked Vivienne, Cathy, and their mother.
The writing is full of warmth and gentle humour but now with an added depth. All three books are full of heart and humanity. I thought this to be a satisfying conclusion to a trilogy I wish were instead a longer series.
November 14, 2020
So interesting to read this follow up to some of my favourite books from childhood. It was very different, and felt like a lead up book and not a final book. They never settled anywhere in the whole book but it was interesting to see the different spots they ended up in. And it was an enjoyable read the girls are all the same as they were.
February 27, 2016
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous two in the Melling Sisters trilogy, perhaps because the family had moved away from Wilgawa and to suburban Sydney and were living through a bleak winter of multiple moves and conflicts. Grace, Heather and Cathy were all quite bitchy at times (transformed so effectively by their new station in life) and even dreamy romantic Vivienne started to really grate on my nerves. Still, I will miss spending time with the sisters in their slice of post-war Australia.
January 11, 2009
I wish this book developed the story more deeply. But it is young adult fiction. I read the first book in primary school and only found out that there were two more books in the series. I guess I read these books for nostalgic reasons.
September 21, 2017
There is something incalculably precious about rediscovering books that are intrinsically tied up with experience; and an inexplicable bittersweetness when you realise there is more to the story that remains unread. I have never read this story before. It was a beautiful hurt.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews