Queenie in Seven Moves

by Zanni Louise

A sensitive, timely story addressing loss and belonging.

To Queenie, home is Peachy, the little house where she’s lived forever. But when she and her mum have to leave Peachy, Queenie discovers that home isn’t a place at all. It’s making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, letting yourself be uncomfortable, and finding the courage to share your song with the world.

Genres: Middle Grade, Friendship, Music, Contemporary, Childrens, Family, Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2023

About the author

Zanni Louise has been writing stories since she was little, growing up in country NSW. She’s written over forty internationally published books for kids including picture books, chapter books and books for 10-12 year-olds. Her first teen fiction under her alias, Zanni L. Arnot, A Guide to Falling off the Map (Scholastic US; Hachette AU) is out later this year.

Her picture books including the bestselling Human-Kind series have been recognised by prominent awards, including Children’s Book Council of Australia, Speech Pathology Awards, Educational Publishing Awards, White Raven’s International Catalogue of Children’s Books, Panda Awards and the Australian Book Design Awards.

Her junior-fiction and middle-grade books have been selected for K.O.A.L.A. Awards, Indie Book Awards, Queensland Readers Cup and Adaptable. Queenie in Seven Moves (Walker Books; Candlewick) is featured on the NSW Stage 5 curriculum.

Zanni loves visiting schools and festivals to inspire young readers and writers. Learn more here.

She also runs a picture book course online with Anna Pignataro and offers other classes for budding authors throughout the year. Explore her courses here. If you’d rather an in-person experience, Zanni runs bespoke retreats in Italy and Australia.

Zanni’s literary works are represented by LK Literary Agency and her speaking and workshops can be booked through Speakers Ink and Booked Out. She is proud to be an author ambassador for Room To Read, an organisation helping to educate girls and improve literacy and gender equality.

Reviews

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://littlesquirrelsbookshelf.blog...
4.5 stars
Queenie in Seven Moves is a delightful story about 12 year-old Queenie and her mum's search for a new home.

Queenie loves her home but when the house is sold her and her mum are forced to move. Relying on the kindness of friends Queenie and Clare, over the course of the summer school break, move seven times. With each move Queenie learns a little more about herself. Her belief in herself slowly grows as she makes new friends, takes new challenges, and takes the time to renew an old friendship.

Queenie in Seven Moves is such a gorgeous story and twelve-year-old Queenie is a treat with her moods and possessiveness of her mother. It's all so relatable!

It was lovely to follow Queenie's journey as she gains the confidence to step outside her comfort zone and be her best self.
Queenie learns that change won't kill you, it makes you stronger.

Queenie in Seven Moves is a delightful story about growing up, moving forward and realising your dreams.

Content: When Queenie checks her Christmas stocking she states that the contents are from her mother. As this book is targeted to ages 8+, parents will need to decide what they think their child will read into that.
*Edited to note publisher's recommendation is 10 -13 years.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

update - reread for readers cup questions

Not sure why I forgot to add this one.

Very topical dealing with rental crisis and costs of living.

Big-hearted, authentic and well written.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queenie Jean Anderson lives with her mother, Clare, who works at the Diamonds Senior Care Village near Curlew Point in Southern Australia. It's been tough after the death of Queenie's father, but with the help of Betsy, the landlord who rents their cottage, Peachey, to them, the two have been able to thrive. Queenie is an avid guitar player like her father, but is afraid to sing in public. She's been taking lessons from Mr. Grey, and is finally ready to participate in an end of year recital, but when her former best friend, Sparrow, gets onstage right before her and sings the song she had planned to perform, she decides not to go on. During the COVID pandemic, the real estate market heats up, and Betsy ends up selling the house. Clare hasn't told Queenie about it, and when she is unable to find other accommodations, the two move into an apartment at Diamonds until a new resident moves in. Queenie enjoys being at the facility and hanging out with the residents, but the two can't stay there forever. Soon, they move in with the Elliots, whose son, Dory goes to school with Queenie. Space is tight, but Mr. Elliot has lost his job, and the family needs help with rent. Queenie bunks with Dory, on whom she has a crush, and this works out until Mrs. Elliot finds the two kissing. The next stop is a camper van out in the country near the house where Daisy, a substitute at Queenie's school lives. The van is in bad shape, although the landlord, Ruthie, is very kind, and Queenie enjoys talking to Tara, the daughter of another resident as well. It's the rainy season, which makes it hard for Clare to get to work, and when the van is badly damaged in a storm, Queenie and her mother take refuge in Ruthie's house for a bit. This is unsustainable, and the two move in with Dimitri, the real estate agent that Clare has been dating. He has a dog, Frankie, whom Queenie likes, and lives close to Sparrow. Queenie wants to enter a Summer Song Contest, and the next temporary home is a tent in Williams Head to prepare for the contest. Sparrow helps out, and the performance goes well, although the girls don't win. The last stop is Heritage Gardens, a nicer complex where Queenie and her mother can find some stability. An author's note explains that this is based on her family's experiences during the early days of COVID.
Strengths: Queenie and her mother are upbeat and making the best of their situation. I especially liked when they were living at Diamonds, and like Queenie, wouldn't have minded if they stayed there! It was interesting that while COVID drove a lot of the plot, it wasn't much discussed. Perhaps Australia wasn't as locked down as the US, or perhaps this took place in 2021 when things opened up a bit. Queenie's interest in music added to the plot, and was a good connection with her late father. The different housing situations the two find themselves in was the real star of the book; I especially liked Ruthie's camper van, even though (or perhaps because) it was the worst situation. The cover is attractive, and I was glad that Queenie and Clare had stable housing by the end of the book.
Weaknesses: This is very Australian (I had to look up what "Queenslander style homes" were, and there are some other details), so I am debating purchasing. For some reason, books set in Australia fall into the category with books set in circuses or involving pirates; my students won't pick them up!
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who Jacobson's 2015 Paper Things, Pyron's 2019 Stay, or Glaser's 2022 A Duet for Home. It's an interesting look at being unhoused which I enjoyed, and the cover is decent, so if there's money in the budget, I will purchase.

[kaitlyns_library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book the encompasses the struggles of so many Australians as of late. Between COVID as well as the rental and flood crisis, I could understand and empathise with this feeling. On top of that, Queenie wanted to express her love of music and was hindered at every opportunity. I do wish Sparrow was called out for her behaviour as it was quite negative throughout (even at the end when she has her ‘redemption’). On another note, the slur g*psy was used repeatedly, which didn’t sit well with me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

[Caitlyn Davis]

A hopeful middle grade book set in Australia that touches upon housing insecurity and living with a single parent. Queenie in Seven Moves is charming, and includes chess, which is important because when I saw the cover and title, I assumed the book would be about chess! The characters are rich and real in the way that makes you want to wrap your arms around them and hold them tight. I really enjoyed this!

[Melanie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review:

Queenie in Seven Moves by Zanni Louise

'Queenie in Seven Moves' is a heartfelt, beautifully paced middle grade fiction novel.

Queenie is in her last year of primary school. She is dealing with an ex-best friend who has become her musical rival and has a fear of performing in front of others.

What makes this story is the authentic, raw, and emotional situation Queenie and her mum are faced with. Queenie lives in a house that she adores until the owner decides they are selling. In the height of COVID, rental properties are hard to come by, leaving people homeless and in unimaginable situations. Queenie and her mum move from place to place, as the title suggests, moving seven times. Zanni Louise, whilst considering her target audience, shares important societal issues, making Queenie in Seven Moves the perfect novel for teachers to study within the classroom.

Zanni's characters remained with me long after I finished reading Queenie in Seven Moves. Queenie and her mum have a beautiful relationship, which reminds me of the mother-daughter relationship in Gilmore Girls with added relevance of timely social issues. Queenie's Mum ensures that Queenie is always supported, and no matter where she lives, they are at 'home' with each other. I love the elderly characters from the nursing home and how one young girl changes the lives of many, even though she is going through her own struggles. The budding romance within the book is very sweet, and Queenie learns the true meaning of friendship. Her character growth within this story makes Queenie in Seven Moves a page turner. Her confidence increases, and she starts to understand who she really is. She allows songwriting to take her on a journey of self discovery. A very special part of this book is the qr code that will lead readers to her song.

Friendship, family and the true meaning of home - Queenie in Seven Moves is a poignant novel that had me feeling a whole range of emotions. I love everything about this story; the title, characters, relationships and thought-provoking themes. This is a must-read.

Congratulations @zannilouise . What a touching story that I will be recommending to everyone.

[Helen Farch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queenie lives with her mum, in a little house that she loves. But when the owner of the house sells it, they are forced to move.

But with so many city people moving to the country during Covid times, there are far more people trying to find places to live than there are places available.

Queenie and her mum find themselves with nowhere to go.

From living in a spare unit in the retirement village where her mum works, to sleeping on the floor of the bedroom of her secret crush from school, to a leaky caravan in the rainforest, to living with her mum's maybe/sort-of new boyfriend, the search for their new forever home is not easy.

Despite the uncertainty and the hardships, along the way Queenie finds unexpected new friends, re-connects with old friends, finds a new self-confidence, and finally finds the courage to sing her songs to the world.

This is a story of a young girl who is finding herself - through her music, through her acceptance of her mum's new relationship, through changing friendships, through moving from her childhood home and finding a new place in the world.

"Uncomfortable didn't kill Queenie.
Change didn't kill Queenie."

I think many older middle grade and younger YA readers will relate to Queenie and her journey.

Thanks to Walker Books Australia for the review copy of this book.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the real-life events of accomplished author, Zannie Louise, Queenie’s tale embodies the plight hundreds of families who through circumstances indited by the pandemic, found it nearly impossible to secure a permanent dwelling. Moving house is rated among the top ten most stressful things a human being can undertake, never mind the uncertainty created by constant house hopping. Change is inevitable. What is less certain is our capacity to embrace and develop from it until it is actually upon us. Queenie’s collection of changes is huge and all-consuming and yet through her creative outlet in song, she develops a sense of space and reason, compassion and determination enabling her to sing her song, complete Year 6, accept her mother’s new beau and most importantly, love the life she’s in. It’s not a perfect checkmate but it could be Queenie’s best move yet.

Louise’s narrative is a triumph of nuanced layers and emotions with far reaching appeal. Touching, witty and wonderful to the nth degree, Queenie In Seven Moves is a proper crowd pleaser proving that home really is where the heart is.

Full review at DIM'S re VIEWS: https://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com/p...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

All that twelve-year-old Queenie Jean Anderson wants is a home of her own. She and her mother have loved renting the little house she calls Peachy, but when their landlord sells her property, they have to move. And just like a chess piece on a board, they bounce from place to place, first, temporarily in a vacant room at a senior center where Queenie's mother works, but then somewhere else, and again, somewhere else. Queenie makes friends at each of the new places, but all this moving makes her anxious and uncertain about what will come next. She's also writing songs and hoping that she can summon the courage to actually perform before an audience. Set in Australia during the immediate aftermath of the recent pandemic, this middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!] is full of heart, hope, and resilience. The constant moving around is also related to Queenie's desperate need to fit in somewhere and her mixed feelings about her former best friend and now rival. The book's clever title with its double meaning will surely attract readers who will fall in love with Queenie and relate to her feelings, even when some of them are misdirected.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When their house is sold by their landlady/babysitter/neighbour Betsy, Queenie Jean Anderson (a 12-year-old girl) and her Mum, Clare - an aged care worker - are forced to move out of their beloved home and find a new place to live. Although, as easy as this might sound, there aren't many available places currently on the market and many other people are frantically looking too. Whilst moving across the state seven times, Queenie makes unexpected new friends, reunites with old ones and finds the courage and confidence to nourish her passion and sing for the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Queenie in Seven Moves' and thought it had a beautiful and heart-warming storyline. I liked how there were fairly short chapters which was handy if I wanted to read for just a little while. For me, it was pretty easy to get into especially because the story started with a scene that really grabbed your attention. I would recommend this book to kids between the ages of 8 and 16 or people who enjoy a nice and happy story.

[Andrea Rowe]

This middle grade story felt so familiar, and its story arc so rewardingly challenging.

Zanni writes a sense of place and character development so wonderfully. She makes the pace feel effortless, and yet she has probably laboured over this story’s structure and resolution to help it land with relevance and authenticity.

If your conversations with young people have covered the very real challenges of impacts of cost of living, rent changes, homeless and house sharing experiences, single parenting & new romance, senior citizens living arrangements & intergenerational relationships, teen transitions & evolving friendships … & even weather impacts … honestly … this book pulls on so many topics and weaves them wonderfully into a relatable young reader narrative.

I give this read 10 houses out of 10 houses! Please buy it for your middle-grade reader. It’s full of heart.

[Fiona White · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story! The characters are strong, the voice is engaging and the story arcs to such a satisfying ending. I cried and celebrated with Queenie as she stumbled, sang and lived her way through her seven moves. Capturing the chaos of homelessness, the strength of the human spirit and the way we make families out of the friends we meet and come to love, this story is well worth the read. In one particularly poignant chapter Queenie says; "I'm listening to such a big part of myself which used to be inside and now is walking around in the world, without me. All grown up."
Just beautiful.

[Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good! Journey of a character Queenie, and her mum, who during the pandemic become homeless due to their first place 'Peachy' becoming sold. I love that it shows this side of the pandemic that many people faced - homelessness and the difficulty of finding a place to live, and the people who lived in nursing and aged care homes.

I loved that the story was divided into seven parts to show the "seven moves" of Queenie and her mum as they shuffled from place to place. Although, I have to say the characters from the aged care home were the most wonderfully thought out and included in the story.

Very moving, poignant and heartfelt. This is a story that stays with you more than others.

[Ms Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet middle grade story about housing security, self-confidence (Queenie’s a musician), and the families we create. Queenie and her mum are unexpectedly homeless during the height of the COVID housing crisis. Together, they share seven different dwellings over the summer holidays. While uncomfortable and disconcerting, Queenie finds stability in each place and grows a little with each new move and the people she encounters.

Could be a great precursor to Grace Notes by Karen Comer

“Being real - being yourself - was a pathway to connection”.

10+ years

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. Polished it off in a few hours. So relatable with mentions of covid, floods, pressure on housing. Queenie and her mum are just a standard small family trying to get ahead, but basically homeless through no fault of their own. The chapters summarise her 7 moves over summer. Also emphasises how having a passion can help you get through the tough times, and that it's ok to rely on other people when you need help.
Suitable for all readers really - year 4 up

[Ree Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story, sensitively told. I loved this book. The characters are rich and vivid, and Queenie’s voice is so authentically Northern Rivers teen. I especially loved the relationship between Queenie and her Mum, it is so relatable. The way music and the solace it brings is woven through the story is a highlight. This is one of those stories that stays with you.

[Byron Bibliotherapy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very realistic portrait of a loveable, grumpy 12 yo girl, her single mum, and their trials finding housing when the influx of Southerners escaping lockdowns during COVID forces house prices up in their local area.

See my full review here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpBUZk8hN...

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introducing Queenie…

An Aussie girl, at the end of Year Six, struggling to overcome her anxiety surrounding stepping out onto the stage and sharing her musical talent.

Enter COVID, the current housing crisis, floods, a new crush, her mum’s new boyfriend and the impending doom of moving house and leaving her beloved Peachy behind and things become a little more complicated for Queenie.

Queenie in Seven Moves follows the lives of Queenie and her mother as they move houses multiple times. Queenie learns a lot of new things, makes (and almost breaks) new, valuable and heartwarming friendships and grows along the way. This novel is perfect for middle grade and young adult readers following the craziness of the COVID pandemic and rise in anxiety that many people now experience today.

A heartwarming read!

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spelling mistakes irked me. I wish publishers would hire copyreaders or whatever you call them! And I just could not get over the fact that this 12-year-old girl talks like an 80-year-old woman!! I mean really - ‘sorry to disturb’. Hugh grant she is not!!

[Penny Waring · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Queenie and her Mum as they deal with the COVID housing crisis over summer, moving seven times. During this unsettling time, Queenie finds a form of stability and belonging in each place. Themes of family, friendship, growing up.

Readers 10+

[Julie Swane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. The premise of a mother and daughter suddenly finding themselves homeless, could have ended up bleak and dark. Instead Zanni has presented an incredibly uplifting story of acceptance, courage and friendship. Suitable for 10-13 years.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF for Queenie in Seven Moves. I wasn't enjoying Queenie as a narrator, and I was bothered/distracted by characters' seemingly irresponsible attitudes toward COVID-19 that made me wonder in what year the story was supposed to take place.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

(No spoilers)

Great story of Queenie and her mum trying to find a place to call home. This is not too adventurous, but is really sweet and great for lovers of music and Billie Eilish.

[Bavatarini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Queenie in Seven Moves a loooooooooooooot because it's just the best.

[Dianne Wolfer]

Just beautiful 😍

[Nadia Garratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this whole thing on placement so adding it to Goodreads it lowkey slapped x

[Hillary Mathison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read for a bit of a change.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great quick read. I love how it is based in Australia and it is also the first book I have read that talks about COVID and also the housing crisis

[Laura Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really engaging middle grade book. I truly enjoyed it.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story.