The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart

by Samera Kamaleddine

Friendship, family and feelings collide in this sparkling middle-grade debut from Matilda Prize winner, Samera Kamaleddine.

Evie Hart likes rules. A lot. But as she embarks on her very last year of primary school, it feels like all the rules around her are being broken.

When Evie's class starts learning about the Earth's place in the universe, it makes Evie think about her own place in the world and where she belongs. Which has her more worried than ever.

When your mum writes a horoscope page for a living, it's hard not to think about what the future holds. Especially when she and the only dad Evie has ever known are acting like they're on different planets.

But the more Evie learns about the sky and the stars, the more she learns that changes in the world can't always be controlled. And maybe that's not a bad thing.

From the inaugural winner of the Matilda Prize comes a tender and moving story about one girl's journey to find her place in the world.

Genres: Middle Grade, Family, School, Childrens, Contemporary, Friendship

288 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2023

Reviews

[Harri Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was absolutely beautiful. it’s a story of feeling like the universe doesn’t make sense any more, and how to cope with changes in your own way. I loved the way Evie related the space facts she learnt at school to different parts of her life, i see a lot of my younger self in Evie. the author has portrayed anxious feelings in such a simple yet realistic way for young people to understand, and although written for younger audiences, this book had so many heartfelt messages for adults.
“I wondered then if the emu in the sky ever felt like it was moving backwards, like it was going the opposite way to all the other constellations”

[Kim Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully told story of a girl navigating her way through the last year of primary school, the separation of her mum and stepdad, and the mean comments of a classmate. Evie’s anxiety is well written as is her empathy for others, which I think often go hand-in-hand.
I loved the space facts and how the author wove them through the story.

I really enjoyed spending time with Evie and loved all the affirmations throughout.

[Blaire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story, seemed to just end though.
I wonder if I would have enjoyed it without reading the reviews prior

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as it is a CBCA short list book for younger readers. Lots of space references and educational facts about space as Evie learns about it in class and translates it back into her home life with her mum writing horoscopes and her stepdad moving away etc. references to family dynamics and other cultures (Lebanese falafels) and how to move Forward when there is change. It was ok

[Aivory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not enough commas

[Anna Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* A sweet story about managing change in your life. Lovely characters in this gentle story.

[Ita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely book about a rule loving and anxious little girl, her family, her friendships and how she experiences life while in year six and when her mother and step father are separating. Written with love and humour by children's librarian Samera and shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year 2024 for younger readers.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read quite a lot of middle grade for an adult and this one felt different from many others that I read. Evie was an interesting character and it was really interesting to see how the author weaves the story around such an anxious character - you can really feel Evie’s anxiety and worries come off the page. Plot wise, not very much actually happens in this story but we do get a deep dive into Evie’s character and her thoughts on what is happening to her family which I feel really made this different to other middle grade novels I’ve read. I will say, even as an adult I found this read at times a little slow so I’m unsure how a child would actually go with reading this one unless they had some sort of experience and could relate to the story but overall this was a well-written read that I could see being a great resource to help children going through similar experiences.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book.

Kicking myself it took me this long to finally sit down and read.

Shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council Australia (CBCA) Younger Readers Award 2024, this is a superb book for any stage 3 (years 5 and 6) classroom.

With themes of change, family and friendship main character Evie Hart’s life is one anxious worry - high school on the horizon, parental relationships, unsettled classmates and building memories.

Written in short, fact-filled chapters (teacher Miss Owen’s is teaching a unit on space), Evie discovers rules are sometimes there for guidance, and even need breaking sometimes.

A lovely book, with great themes.

[Ms Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Chapters seem to start mid-thought, which gives real insight into Evie’s mind - the ebbs and flows of blanking out and rushing thoughts. A story about change, trust and space. It gets a little repetitive unfortunately and ended too abruptly for me.

Read if you liked ‘How to spell catastrophe’.

Ages 9+

[Lisa Anybookanytime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart! Loved this. Full review to come.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Very well written about a topic that affects a lot of young children. Divorce.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for PRC

[Sammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about a girl called Evie who thrives on order, routine and following the rules. However we all know that just isn’t the way life works most of the time. Evie faces a big family challenge throughout the book and through her eyes we see how others face similar situations.

I really loved the way this book was written. Evie’s thoughts are at times disjointed and she comments on things that many people wouldn’t give a second thought, like whether her teacher Miss Owens pulls Nicole up for calling out. You really get a feel for what it would be like to live in Evie’s head and have to constantly be faced with her ‘worry brain’ peeking through. I see a bit of myself in Evie’s brain so it made me smile to read it and recognise that I’m not the only one who sometimes thinks this way.

There were so many beautiful metaphors and symbols peppered throughout, most pertaining to space and our solar system as this is what Evie is learning about at school. I loved how she used this topic to help her make meaning out of her own life and experiences.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

12 year old Evie hates change and her final year at primary school is worrying enough without dealing with classroom angst and disruption at home. In class Miss Owen is focusing on the solar system for the year, and some of the 'big questions' and tasks that the teacher poses help Evie navigate other matters - Nicole's negative and infuriating behavior that escalates in the classroom and the fact that stepdad Lee is moving to Dubbo to build a bridge. Strong friendships and family ties support Evie through the changes and help her navigate through the hurdles.
A pleasant story about school and family - Lee was a particularly memorable male character - with touches of humour throughout

2024 shortlisted title for the Book of the Year Younger Readers

[Lisa Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart’ is a wonderful story artfully written through the eyes of a young anxious girl. Although it’s technically a children’s book, as an adult I still enjoyed the storyline and was intrigued to turn each page. Samera Kamaleddine cleverly uses through lines as she explores current and relevant themes, including a child’s perspective of blended families and divorce. The author also provides an informative and interesting insight into the universe and space which she weaves into the personal story of Evie Hart. I would definitely recommend this book and I am interested to read more from this author.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Steadily working my way through the CBCA shortlist again this year. This was a charming novel. I really enjoyed the interweaving of learning about the solar system with learning about Evie's family and friends. A really good exploration of someone who's struggling to come to terms with their changing family structure. I also liked the changing nature of Evie's relationship with Nicole. Evie's internal monologue was a little too haphazard for me at times, and I don't think I've ever read the words "crispy falafel" so many times in my life!

[duKe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wholesome story that explores growth, acceptance, patience and change through the perspective of a pre-teen. The motif of space has been interwoven well and then characters support the overarching concepts. The heavy use of repetition does become grating at points, but I can appreciate that this would increase the engagement for the target audience. I don’t think this has what it takes to reach the mark for the CBCA Younger Readers award, but it may get an honourable mention.

[Laura Farrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever title, loved the facts about space, sad about Lee. I kept expecting Evie to call him dad before the end but she didn't. Evies mum definitely summed it up with 'relationships are hard'. Sadly I felt Unsatisfied with the ending.
CBCA 2024 - Shortlist for Younger Readers

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to see why this has been shortlisted. The author states the book's themes are growth, wisdom and patience. Her rule-abiding, worrying 11yo central character is relatable. And the Earth and Space facts interwoven are very interesting.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute space facts! made me emotional….

[Rebecca Fung · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very nice story with lots of space references - which I love.

[Julie Swane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Beautifully written.

[Mia Resuggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really want to read this book.I have heard very good thing about this book . I will more soon once I read this book stay in touch...

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5