Ironbark

by Barry Jonsberg

I'm miserable and sixteen. In that order.

Sixteen can be a tough time. And it's almost unmanageable for a wisecracking boy whose temper is white-hot. As a consequence he is sentenced to a time-out with his reclusive grandfather in a primitive shack in the forest. There is little to do except chop wood and watch the red-eyed wallabies gather at dusk. They are an unlikely a taciturn old man who prefers the simple life, and a volatile boy addicted to the technology of the 21st century—and yet a bond blossoms between them. But denied access to much he desires, and feeling provoked by a local cop cynical of city folk, the boy's frustration grows. And when he encounters situations he can't control, anything could happen.

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Barry Jonsberg is an Australian author and teacher originally from Liverpool, England. He holds degrees in English and Psychology from Liverpool University and moved to Australia in 1999. His debut novel, The Whole Business with Kiffo and the Pitbull, earned acclaim in 2005, and his follow-up, It’s Not All About YOU, Calma, won the 2006 South Australian Festival Award for Children’s Literature. Jonsberg has continued to receive numerous honors, including awards and shortlistings for Dreamrider, My Life as an Alphabet, A Little Spark, and Smoke & Mirrors, affirming his place in contemporary young adult literature.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Several times it crossed my mind that I should be bored because in some ways not much happens, but the fact of the matter is that I never was bored. I feel like it gave me a better understanding of my own nearly 16 year old even though he doesn't have the same issues as the character. I also enjoyed the gradual bond that developed between him and his granddad. The ending was a little more abrupt than I would have liked, but it leaves you with an understanding of how the character will develop over time. Definitely worth my time.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It had every aspect of a story that I love: in-depth and complicated characters and relationships, a gripping character-centered plot and Australia!

The narrator (who isn't given a name) is a teenager boy basically parented by money (his mother is never mentioned and his dad is a wealthy businessman who doesn't have much to do by his son) who has IED. (intermittent explosive disorder). After a massive outburst he gets sent out to Tassie to live with his Grandfather as per court order.

I loved this book for a multitude of reasons. First of all, I loved how the narrator's IED was written about and how he lived his life with it. The use of coping methods and being able to experience his internal monologue while he struggled with everything was really eye-opening. Especially reading about his reflection on an experience after an outburst because he can never remember what he does, just knows it was probably something bad. One line I really loved was when he talked about feeling like him and his IED were too different people. Plus, the narrator was extremely witty and hilarious. I found reading through his point of view as a teenager extremely entertaining as he adapted to living in Tassie with his grandpa.

That's the second thing. The relationship between him and his grandpa is amazingly written and is an integral part to the story that really makes it what it is. The bonding between the two of them is immensely interesting to read about as they are so different and yet grow to find out they are similar in certain ways. Both the grandpa and the boy's characters were written extremely well and it feels like they are pouring out of the pages with life, they are so real.

The third thing, the style of writing is amazingly talented. It is the perfect combination of witty, descriptive, serious and light-hearted that really brings the story to life.

There are many more things I could talk about about this book but even if I rambled on forever I could not do the story justice.

[Deanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I had recently read Jonsberg’s latest novel ‘A Song Only I Can Hear’ and was totally in awe and very much moved by this book I was keen to read more by the same author.
So I decided to read one of his earlier novels ‘Ironbark’ and similarly the story involves a teenager and an elderly relative and their bond. The unnamed 16 year old boy is an extremely troubled youth (“ I’m miserable and sixteen. In that order.”) who has a history of violent behavioural outbursts. Instead of facing time in a youth prison he is shipped off to Tasmania to live with his elderly, taciturn grandfather who lives in a very isolated, primitive shack. Ever so slowly a bond of sorts develops between the two but the youth’s aggressive behaviour resurfaces when he meets the local surly policeman who he must report to as part of the terms of his stay in Tasmania. There is poignancy as we learn of the boy’s upbringing with his disinterested father, a highly successful and wealthy businessman who has largely remained uninvolved in his son’s life. This is a compelling, heartwarming, at times funny but tough story which I found difficult to put down. To me the ending appeared a little rushed and unclear and didn’t quite work. However the meaning inferred did create the semblance of a sense of an ending and the hint of a way forward. Jonsberg writes very insightfully about troubled teenagers and in a most engaging way.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite interesting reading. Couldn't get too involved with the protagonist as I just wanted to slap him. The story was well written despite a couple of plot holes and I enjoyed the Tasmanian scenery and its role as setting.

[Jade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the blurb of the book, thinking it would be good. Only read first 10 or so pages and the story just wasn't hooking me in.

[The Bookshop Umina]

From Tracey:

Now....i am really confused about this one. I wish it was longer...the

characters are interesting, i love the story telling and i loved the

premise (a teenager in trouble gets sent off to live with his

grandfather in rural tassie)...but it just stopped too soon. There

were so many opportunities to really get involved and i wanted more. I

can see it appealing to teen girls as it goes into the relationship of

the boy and his girlfriend...maybe a lesson for those who like the bad

boy. There is some violence, but mainly described in the after math so

not scary. But mainly, i was confused and disappointed by the ending

and wanted more!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

We hear so much about violent teenagers in the media – every other kid is supposed to have anger management problems. And this is a book about such a kid – and has one of the best opening lines: “I’m miserable and sixteen. In that order.” The young fella (we never find out his name) is sent to stay with his Grandfather in the remote Tasmanian wilderness in the hope that the solitude and clean living will help him deal with his IED -- Intermittent Explosive Disorder. The relationship that develops across the generations is interesting to read, as are the young narrator’s realisations about himself, and his growing ability to deal with life and all its problems.

[Cathy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was quite absorbed by the first person, present tense narrator. And even more intrigued when I was half way through the book and suddenly realised I didn't know the main character's name. I flicked through pages and realised that I was never told his name. Iron bark represents the hardness of the exterior character and his unwillingness to appear weak. However, he eventually follows his Grandfather's path and comes face to face with himself and makes the strongest decision of his life. It's a boy becoming a man story in a way. Humility and being true with yourself are the keys to unlock the future as an adult. All about facing your demons head on. A good read.

[JusMe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was enthralled with this book, my thoughts and feelings were with the main character, even though his name isn't mentioned. The bond that develops between him and his grandfather grows within the pages. His grandfather understands him, having him on his side. His grandmother, her love, her spirit helps them both along the way, her love is there, like a guardian angel. I had difficulty putting this down.

[Mark Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and funny. I enjoyed that not much seemed to happen, that there was a lot of space and time in the relationship between the boy and his granddad. I like the harsh realism in the character arc of our main guy.

[littleM · Rating 4 out of 5]

God I forgot how funny he is; very Australian humour. I remember how scary and beautiful the bush is. Great story.