Brindabella

by Ursula Dubosarsky, Andrew Joyner (Illustrator )

From an extraordinary novelist and an award-winning illustrator comes this lyrical and unforgettable story about a boy and the untameable wildness of a hand-reared joey.

"This is a story about a boy called Pender and a kangaroo called Brindabella, about how they became friends, and all the things that happened to them because of it."

Pender and his father live in an old house made of honey-coloured stone in the bush by the river, with only the company of his father's paintings and the loyal dog, Billy-Bob. Then, on one winter morning, a gunshot amongst the trees changes everything.

When Pender rescues Brindabella from the pouch of her murdered mother, an unusual friendship blossoms between the lonely boy and the orphaned joey. But Brindabella is no ordinary kangaroo. And though Pender has saved her life, the untameable wildness of the bush--and freedom--call to her...

Lyrical and unforgettable, 'Brindabella' explores the brutal beauty of the Australian bush.

Genres: Childrens, Friendship, Australia, Animals

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Ursula Dubosarsky is an award-winning author of numerous books for children and young adults. About The Golden Day, her first book with Candlewick Press, she says, "The little girls watch, wonder, respond, change, and grow — and then their childhood is gone, forever. This element of the story, I suppose, is at least partly autobiographical. But, as I say — all of our teachers come home safe and sound in the end." Ursula Dubosarsky lives in Australia.

Reviews

[ALPHAreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just the *sweetest* Children's Book. It’s a cross between Bambi (yes, for the tragedy) and Skippy - but more about instilling a respect and thoughtfulness for nature and all creatures.

Ursula Dubosarsky is one of my favourite authors and this book of tender complexity for younger readers is a perfect example of why.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ursula cannot write a bad book, and this is a perfect gem of a children's novel. BYO tissues.

[Ms Warner · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an odd little book! I thought it was going to be a story with a message about being kind or not taking things for granted, or not getting tickets on yourself but it wasn’t. Brindabella is an obnoxious kangaroo who comes as a rescue joey to Pender and his sick father (why is a young child allowed to live with a parent who is not capable of caring for him?). Brindabella lives with them for a bit and then escapes back to the bush. Pender mourns her and thinks of her constantly and goes to find her one night...

I don’t really know what the point was when it seemed to be leading so clearly in one direction. One for young animal loving kids.

[Kylie Purdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of books shortlisted for the Australian Children's Book Council 2019 Young Readers.

Ursula Duborsarsky is such a wonderful children's writer - another author where you cannot go wrong.
Brindabella is a gorgeous, sweet book about a orphaned Joey rescued by a young boy called Pender. Pender and his dad live in the bush and obviously have an affinity with the land around them. Pender's dad cautions him about getting too attached to Brindabella, warning he will eventually want to return to the freedom of the bush. The reader gets to hear Brindabella's voice as well, learning alongside him that it's not as easy in the bush as an over-confident Joey thinks!
Andrew Joyner's illustrations are a beautiful addition to the story.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably a 3.5 star book, but not quite enough to bump to 4 stars (dammit GR! get half stars for ratings!). A simple story of a boy and a baby kangaroo that started quite adorably, drifted a bit in the middle, and came back together in the end, though definitely not nearly as much as I had hoped. I liked the bits and bobs of info about Australia's animal kingdom, they fit the tale nicely. When Pender and Brindabella were together I enjoyed the story a lot, it was just enough cuteness without being ridiculous. They made a great pair, but both suffered as characters when they were on their own, which was surprising and a bummer. There was a lack of depth to the narrative, which made it hard to get overly concerned about what might happen. A not so predictable - and enigmatic - ending, which was surprising and open-ended too. Not amazing, but definitely a worthwhile little book.

[Shane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sweet little story that starts well, but then faded for me.

I got a surprise part-way through, when the perspective of the narrative suddenly changes and becomes a bit like Charlotte's Web. This immediately felt weaker than when Pender was narrating. There was also a jarring change. Brindabella's attitude and first words didn't seem to gel with the description of her life we had just been reading.

After that, the story continues, but very quickly/not fleshed out. I liked the ending though.

We'll see what Miss 10 thinks.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An orphaned joey and a lonely little boy form a friendship and an alliance in the unforgiving Australian bush. It’s a union that does not always pair well for others (Brindabella is one willful and stubborn little joey at times) but is full of tenderness and adventure. Eventually the call of the wild prevails and rather like the classic, The Snow Goose, the friends must learn to separate and survive on their own. Their tale however lingers on long after the last page. Seven to twelve-year-olds will find this absorbing. Andrew Joyner's illustrations throughout add tension and joy.

[Tan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably a 2.5 star book for me.

I don’t know. It was really slow, to begin with. I couldn’t really relate to Pender (what kind of name is that btw), and once we got the change in POV, Brindabella was hella obnoxious? So I wasn’t a fan of her either.

The ending got me though. Human stuff, I can handle. But when it comes to animals, nah, stuff that.

The descriptions in this book are beautiful though. The way things are described, it was like you were right there in the bush. Made it very easy to visualise.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful story about friendship, nature and the difficulty of letting something or someone go. There are several incredibly sad moments in this book (I cried as I read the book on the tram), meaning that reading and discussion with an adult would be beneficial for children. Reminding me of Pax, this is a stunning story about the bond between humans and animals. It was refreshing to read such an exquisite Australian story.

[Kerryn Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book written for primary children Ursula Dubosarsky paints a beautiful portrait of the Australian bush perfectly complemented by the illustrations of Andrew Joyner. It was the illustrations of Andrew Joyner that first captured my attention. Each time I came across the mesmerising picture of Brindabella against the bush landscape I was drawn to this book again and again. A beautifully written tale of family, friendship and loyalty.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute story and easy to read
Great descriptive language and set in the bush
Pender is a boy that lives with his early grandpa and he stumbles on a dead kangaroo with a Joey in it so he raises the joey as a pet.
There the joey grows up and wants to venture off
The story is about the journey of letting go or keeping him to help his own loneliness
Very nice story

[Jade Summers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book quite slow to read, it lacked adventure, the flip of the the young boy telling the story to the kangaroo telling its story was hard to fathom. I really didn’t connect with it and couldn’t find a message to walk away with. I want to read this to my class, I’ll be interested on their reviews.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dubosarsky again writes a beautiful book about a young boy who rescues a joey and the subsequent friendship they have and their adventures together and apart.
She just knows how to write something that tells about complex emotions and ideas in a simple and not simplistic way.

[Danni ( Just 50 pages more ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning book which captures the Australian bush through the animals, and the atmosphere written in the book. I read this as a read a-loud to my daughter, and there was a lot of ' that's so sad' moments. This book will be one that will be kept in our library for years to come.

[Amanda Jeffery · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing, emotional story. Ursula you have done it again. My class have never been as quiet as they were today when I finished reading it, nor have they been so upset for a book to finish.

[AD · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice.

[Lisa Denford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Has some sensitive issues for younger readers. It is sad but hopeful.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very pretty story. It shifts voice about halfway in a very satisfying and unexpected way, and doesn't end in a traditional way either.

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

przyjemna książka dla dzieci i młodszej młodzieży. bardzo klimatyczna

[Warren Hofland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful imagery to the unique Australian wildlife

[Gail Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful descriptive writing!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great I loved it !
I want to read it again so much this is one of my
favourite books that I read in my life!
Thank you for writing this book!😍❤👍

[Natalie Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pender and his artist father live surrounded by an assortment of animals who keep them company. With his Dad unwell, Pender spends a lot of time alone, free to explore the bush. But he must be careful of hunters. Pender discovers a joey in the pouch of a kangaroo that has been shot in the bush and taking her home, a special friendship forms between them. He calls her Brindabella.

Brindabella is a little cheeky and has ideas of her own. With some determination and grit, she takes off on an adventure. But is her journey all it dreams of?

I loved reading this book. It was a breath of fresh air amongst a sea of middle-grade books. Pender, his father and their beloved animals show us the perils of living in the bush along with the beauty of it. Strong fearless characters keep us turning the page with voices that are real and authentic. A compelling story as we watch Pender and Brindabella grow, and how the love between an animal and a human can have no boundaries.

[Kathryn J H Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this one out of the library for my son. I thought since he’s so mad on sloths he would really like this even though it was about a kangaroo. He did. The black and white illustrations were charming and it was a quite enjoyable read.

[natalka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mega emocjonują i ciekawa książka, popłakałam się na samym końcu 🫣🫶😻