The Fighting Stingrays

by Simon Mitchell

Charlie, Masa and Alf are best mates – loyal and adventurous. They’re the Fighting Stingrays.
In between school, swimming and fishing on idyllic Thursday Island, they have a ripper time role-playing bombing missions and other war games. But when Japan enters World War II, the Fighting Stingrays are told that one of their own is now the real-life enemy. Drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse in the Torres Strait, their friendship and loyalties are tested as the threat of invasion looms closer.

Genres: Historical, Middle Grade

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2017

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by my editor as part of my writing journey and I am so thankful for this recommendation. Whilst my own writing draws on West Javanese, Indonesian history circa 1500, this book is also historical fiction but set in WWII on Thursday Island. The friendships between the characters, the conflict and the adventure was so well written and such an inspiration for me. On every page, there was action but also backstory of each character so I was really able to get to know each one. I found this story very insightful and recommend it to MG + YA readers as readers can really learn something about the history of Thursday Island - which is Australia - in this book. With special thanks to Penguin Random House Australia publishers for sending me a copy of this book.

[Marj Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical war adventure book that will appeal to boys in Years 5 - 7. Set during WWII on Thursday Island, the story is well researched and well-written, with language and humour suitable for middle school readers. The author maintains tension throughout the novel as the trio of boys lurches from one crisis to the next. This 'boy's own adventure'-styled read is a great Australian story.

[Karen Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were many striking similarities between The Fighting Stingrays and Life of Pi. The obvious are the island settings and time spent on a small boat at sea. The more unexpected are the descriptions of the phosphorescent sea-life that I am not sure would have made it into The Fighting Stingrays had Martel not written his text first. Another similarity was the boredom I felt at the half-way point (though I adore the beginning and conclusion of Life of Pi) when all I kept thinking was, 'I get it; they are stranded on a boat with limited supplies. When can we move on?'

The language is very repetitive (which can be an excellent learning tool when it comes to introducing new vocabulary and may have been included exactly for those purposes) and I had little patience for the many fart jokes.

The vilification of Captain Maddox was ham-fisted but there was a comparative subtle exploration of the more insidious way racism can manifest between close friends in the presence of societal unease and fear-mongering.

The Fighting Stingrays is the kind of novel that will go down okay among 14-year-olds and might help them learn some new words and gain an understanding about a region of Australia they are likely unfamiliar with. However, it is unlikely to be recalled nostalgically by any readers years down the track.

[Andrea Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your 12 yo history loving boy inhales this book in under 3 nights of reading, you know it must be a cracker. Such a wonderfully relatable historical WWWII war adventure book, kids who love Biggles, Tin Tin and Famous Five themed writing will love it. Set on Thursday Island, it's a novel that helps kids comprehend life in another part of Australia and the history and culture of a fascinating island. It's a boys own adventure meets history comes alive tale of mateship and pivotal moments in history. The larrikin and likeable characters are very relatable. If your tween / teen reader loves Jacki French historical novels, then this is a must read too. Grade 5/6 - Year 7 teachers put this on the Must Read list!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this tale of adventure and daring set in the Torres Strait of Australia during World War 2. The cast of boys is wonderful and each character is well drawn. The book does not shy away from racism, particularly towards Japanese Australians who were about to be interred.