Just So Stories

Allen & Unwin

July 2023

ISBN:9781760296988

Publisher:A&U Children’s

Imprint:A & U Children

RRP: $17.99

It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a book from Anna, so I was well pleased to receive this one to review (thank you lovely A&U peeps!) and it is absolutely beautiful.

There is a lot going on in this so just let me waffle a bit on the plot, probably more than I would normally so you have an idea. Firstly, there’s Frances – new house, new school (mid Year 7) and new dog, Picasso, none of which she is particularly enamoured with, even though Picasso is ridiculously cute. She and her parents have suffered a terrible loss – that of her little brother, Henry- which is revealed to us quite early and for which Frances believes she is responsible. She keeps this knowledge a secret buried deep inside but it pervades her everything, and she can see her parents struggling in their grief – her dad is off being a journalist in some farflung country while her mum tries to maintain some normality. The only thing that brings Frances some small comfort is her art, and her endless drawing (and obsession) with all things bacteria.

When school starts, things do not go well until she meets Kit, a tall and gangly boy, who is clearly uncomfortable with social situations, though not, as far as Frances can tell, because he lacks confidence or personality. Kit also has a highly attuned artistic talent. As the narrative progresses it becomes obvious that Kit is also hiding deep secrets. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, these two gradually develop a special friendship which also includes Picasso, an elderly lady called Peg, and, after a rocky start, her awkward and grumpy neighbour, Malcolm.

Gradually as the plot unfolds in much the same gentle but insightful way as the mural which this pair create, we learn that little Henry fell into a swimming pool, which Frances (wrongly) believes was due to her inattention, and, she is certain, also caused his death not long after. We also learn that Kit has had a very rocky and uncertain life with a mum suffering mental illness. For both these young people, there is strength in their friendship albeit with some notable hiccups along the way.

There is so much beauty in this book, along with the sadness. The fragile threads of new friendship, a marriage rocked to the core by the loss of a child, a mother struggling to regain her mental fitness, a woman who has lost both husband and her much-loved dog, and a grown son coming to terms with the loss of his mother are all handled with such sensitivity and insight, providing the reader with an entrée into the lives of these characters in the most revealing and deeply personal way.

Frances’ coming to terms with her little brother’s death (and its cause) through her art, nature and friendship with Kit especially, is a moving journey with which mature young readers will thoroughly engage.

The different ways grief is expressed is a significant theme throughout this novel but there are other important ideas upon which to reflect such as family, bullying, courage, the healing provided by nature, dogs and art therapy and loneliness.

I loved it and was so deeply engrossed with it that I had to force myself to stop reading when it was past my usual bedtime, so that it took me two sessions and not just one longer binge to read it. It is sensational and I truly think one of the best MG books I’ve read this year.

I highly recommend it to your readers from around Year 6 to Year 8/9. I think it would make a fabulous shared read to Year 6/7 students and there is a teaching guide available. In honour of Picasso and the themes of coming-of- age/self realisation, I would likely follow up with an art activity such as a self-portrait Picasso style ( here’s some from a recent class with whom I worked).