Early Reviews are Great!
Spirit of the Crocodile was formally released this week and early reviews have been wonderful! Aaron, Lyn and I are thrilled that people are enjoying it as much as we enjoyed writing it. Copies are now available in all good bookshops, and online.
Independent industry journal Books and Publishing said:
“This mature and nuanced story deals extensively with climate change, particularly around the injustices faced by low-lying island communities … Spirit of the Crocodile will be a brilliant classroom text, sitting alongside works by Gary Lonesborough and Kirli Saunders, while also being one of a growing range of middle-grade Torres Strait Islander books.”
ABC Radio Presenter (and crossword guy) David Astle called it “A vivid trip to another world.”
Highly respected online reviewer The Book Muse said, as part of a much longer review:
“I found this book a wonderful way to discover Torres Strait Islander culture and language, where we see Ezra and his community celebrating it, how important it is to them. And it does a great job of explaining various practices or words and phrases in a gentle way that celebrates diversity. It celebrates this long-lived culture and how people like Ezra’s community have worked to combine their practices with modernity, to learn and have their voices heard in an ever-changing world.
It’s filled with tender moments, moments of education and moments of worry as Ezra’s carefree life continues to change, What Spirit of the Crocodile does is bring what people know and don’t know together, expands on it, and showcases the culture of Ezra and his family. It celebrates the importance of culture, ceremonies and cultural practices for Torres Strait Islander people and by extension, could spark a conversation about what different readers see as their culture and how this has informed their lives or shown them where they come from. It’s powerful as well – giving Torres Strait Islander people a voice, showing how they live, and that co-operation between people of all backgrounds is what will help us in times of need … This is a great book to either start learning or continue learning with, especially as it is peppered with accessible, gentle explanations about things that speak directly to the reader to help them get into Ezra’s world.”
Better Read Kids, an excellent specialist bookshop in Sydney has made Spirit of the Crocodile its Indigenous Literacy Foundation Book of the Month and said:
“This charming coming-of-age story is perfect for late primary/early high school reads and bridges that tricky gap between kids and young adult books perfectly!”
Carolyn Hull, on ReadPlus, said (again, as part of a longer review)
The setting of this story within the Torres Strait community on Sabai Island is an absolute delight! We are welcomed into the warmth of their families and feel their heartache as climate change impacts become a burden for their future. This is a wonderful journey into a coming-of-age story in a different cultural setting that is imbued with real heart. The adventure through disaster is stirring, but it is the cultural differences and practices that are endearing. Everyone on the Island works hard to support one another and in their tiny community we see real power, but a future that may well be hampered as sea levels rise and climate impacts threaten. This is for readers aged 10-14, who will enjoy the boys-own experience facing insecurity and danger, with a bit of friendly fun, and an eye on environmental issues.”
Video blogger Kid Lit Joy called it:
“Delightful – a really, really interesting book, I’m so glad I had a chance to read it … really well written … I had the best time reading it!”
Helen Gearing, at Story Links said the book is:
“a stunning middle-grade novel set on Saibai Island in the Torres Strait. … Spirit of the Crocodile is, in many ways, an extremely relatable, age-old story exploring the pain and excitement of growing up. However, its evocative descriptions of island life, kinship systems, trilingual code-switching, cross-cultural negotiation, and community resilience also offer a generous and original insight into Torres Strait culture. Readers ten years and older who enjoyed Allen & Unwin’s series Through My Eyes and Gary Lonesborough’s We Didn’t Think it Through will savour this lyrical, setting-rich story about friendship, culture, and growing up. The exquisite cover design by Joanna Hunt (and linocut pattern by Paul Sedan) reflect the care which has gone into this book’s creation, enticing readers to lean into the beauty and mystery of the story world.”
Lamont Books called it
“… a wonderful story of friendship, family, respect, culture, accepting change and growing up. The strong sense of how important friends and community are in the life of everyone on the island is evident, and the world be a better place if we all lived more like that! This will be enjoyed by all students in upper primary and lower secondary.”
“… really enjoyed this thoughtful coming-of-age story set in a Torres Strait Islander community where climate changes threaten culture, community and connection to place. … It’s an adventure and it’s set in a really interesting place … I really enjoyed the characters and the story but also the insights into the challenges that the people of the Torres Strait are facing.” (Croc is discussed at the 11:00 minute mark)
“… this is a fantastic book which works on many levels. Firstly, of course, it gives readers insight into what life in the Islands, particularly on Saibai, the island that is a scant 4 km from Papua New Guinea. Secondly, it addresses the very real and very threatening crisis of climate change and the effect that is having on such localities. Thirdly, it is a heartwarming exploration of one 12-year-old’s journey of self-realisation – and one that is applicable to many, no matter their culture or locality.”
Paperbark Words published an interview with Aaron Fa’Aoso, Michelle Scott Tucker and Lyn White.
“I loved reading your novel set on Saibai in the Torres Strait, meeting your well-rounded, authentic characters and having an adventure with them…”
I have my copy. I have the weekend off (so far). A review must follow. I’m afraid though I can’t get a copy to my teenage grandchildren, whose opinion I value, for another couple of weeks.
That’s so great – but no rush, truly! I hope you enjoy Ezra’s story.