Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

• ISBN: 9780008606190
• ISBN 10: 0008606196
• Imprint: HarperCollins GB

RRP: $16.99

This is another fabulous Sara Pennypacker MG novel, but straight up I’m going to say it’s nothing like Pax nor Here in the Real World, which thus far have been my favourites. It is however, a wonderfully absurdist look at values, relationships/friendships, risk, trust, responsibility, but above – and how marvellous! – the importance of libraries and books.

Leeva Spayce Thornblossom is the only child of the nastiest parents ever written into a book. Yes, even nastier than the Wormwoods! She has never been allowed out of the house, she has always had to fend for herself for food, clothing and other necessities and her vile mother and father make her work with not a skerrick of thanks or consideration. Her mother is the ghastly despotic Mayor, and her father the corrupt tax collector. Leeva knows they are awful to her, but until she escapes, she has no concept of how heinous they are altogether to the entire town. Though she has never been to school, she has taught herself many things via television and the daily newspaper, but when she discovers the public library next door (just through an illicit space in the hedge) she taps into the wealth of knowledge that is there for anyone, even those with no money nor social skills.

Leeva not only finds whole other worlds through books but also her first two friends, Harry and his aunt, the librarian. It is through them that gradually Leeva’s world completely unfurls like a blossoming flower, as she ventures through the streets of her town, making friends, helping people, and a badger named Bob.

It is hilarious at times, poignant at others but all throughout is a shining thread of kindness and sharing as Leeva searches for the answer to her question ‘What are people for?’. Leeva embraces her whole town eventually, and they, in turn, take her into their protective circle. The child who had nothing in the beginning, has everything needful in the end.

There are numerous direct references to well-loved books e.g. Because of Winn-Dixie, Matilda and Charlotte’s Web, but it is the indirect intertextuality that make this a real love-letter to children’s literature – all of those mentioned and more echo throughout Leeva’s voyage to her own personal special family and identity. Asute young readers will remark upon these similarities themselves.

This is another that would make for a great serial read for your MG kiddos but I also think a First Chapter Friday session will see it fly off the shelves. It would also be a superb choice for your junior book group, should you have one. My only slightly negative (very nit-picky) comment would be that I prefer the US cover to the one for our edition – but that really is a mere trifle. I strongly urge you to add this to your collection, and recommend it highly for readers from about Year 3 upwards.