In Our Own Back Yard

by Anne Kayes

It’s March 2020 and Liza, her husband and two teenage children are at home in Auckland in level-four lockdown due to Covid-19. Reflections with her family around the dining table inspire Liza to reflect on another challenging time in history ― nearly forty years before ― when the South African Springbok rugby team toured New Zealand.Casting her memory back to 1981, Liza recalls her life as a fifteen-year-old, including her first love, friendships, first-hand experiences of racism, and what it means ― and what it costs ― to find your voice and use it.In Our Own Backyard is a startling, confronting portrait of a society divided. Anne Kayes has written a masterful YA novel that considers questions of human equality that are as pertinent in the twenty-first century as they were in 1981.‘Anne Kayes’ book addresses significant turning points in New Zealand history ― the 1981 Springbok rugby tour and the pandemic which impacted on us in 2020. In order to continue moving forward as a society, we must learn from these experiences.’― Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand, 1999–2008‘This impressive novel shows the 1981 Springbok Tour was not just a battle against Apartheid but one which exposed deep-seated racism within New Zealand itself. The novel reveals these issues in the interactions between its teenage characters as they navigate their relationships against a backdrop of anti-tour protests. It’s hard not to wince at the day-to-day reality of race-hatred experienced by Maori and Pasifika and their families. . . . We have begun to move in a new direction and this book helps along that path.’ ― John Minto, teacher and political activist

Genres: Young Adult

290 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable take on the Rugby Tour protests and I learned a lot from this, I had no real understanding of how violent it was and it makes me interested to learn more. More of a young adult read than for intermediates. The possessive nature of the boy and his difficult home life are also quite an important side story for this age group.

[Nilofar Panah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a fun read. It dove into the realm of protests and free speech but kept it light enough for teen readers. It was historically accurate and very educational. I learnt so much about my country in the 80s, racism in my country, the Springbok tours. The chapters alternated between 1981 and 2020 during lockdown. I think having chapters about 2020 in between helped me understand the concepts better. I will definitely recommend this book forever!

[The Bibliognost Bampot · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book for kiwi young adults who need to be aware of this period of our nation’s history. Well told from a first person perspective at the time, but cleverly linked and themed to early 2020 lockdown in NZ and the Black Lives Matter movement. Also has an added moral tale of recognising the dangers of a controlling relationship. All very important themes, respectfully and honestly told. Kayes, quite rightly, doesn’t shy away from the grim reality of the events and controversies of 1981 Springbok Tour, from the shameful behaviour of some New Zealanders and our own government and police force and I hope young kiwis are shocked and outraged when they read about these events. Kayes has thought carefully about her audience and how to portray the story and has done a great job, treating all the important historical moments she includes in the book with responsibility and insight. I highly commend her motive and message with this book. The writing is a little bit juvenile and jarring, it feels a little bit like a school creative writing project, but maybe that just adds to it’s relatability and impact. She has created such awkward, relatable characters, I think most young adult readers won’t notice - or care.

[diarheeya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book. I would never stop recommending this. It's very well researched into, most information is real and historically accurate. I read this without even knowing what SpringBok was and when I finished I had a really good understanding of the tour and the protests (especially the violence). It wasn't too political as well. Some of the story focused on Eliza's life and life in the 80s. The book compared Covid 19 lockdowns, BLM and the SpringBok tours which makes it easier to relate to because I am someone who knows nothing about Rugby, South Africa and protests and my parents were born in the 80s so they can't really tell me what it was like but this book explained NZ in the 80s amazingly and this is coming from someone who lives in NZ yet I've never been taught any of these even though it plays an important role in Aotearoa history.

[Karen Dowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book. The use of the lockdown to frame events was effective and my understanding of the time
Period in 1981 was extended greatly . The layering of characters on top of key events reflected attitudes of society at the time and they were credible. Thoroughly enjoyed this .

[Izzy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever YA novel paralleling 1981 NZ, divided by the Springbok Tour, and 2020 NZ, divided by covid opinions and BLM. Themes of power & control, racism & sexism are interwoven and easy for students to see. Great for a yr 10/11 novel study.