Just So Stories

Allen & Unwin

January 2024

ISBN: 9781761180750

Publisher: A&U Children’s

Imprint: A & U Children

RRP: $19.99

Anyone who has ever read a Jonsberg book will know that there is always more, just beneath the surface, and this particular title is especially apt. This was one of my favourite reads in December, and I quickly devoured it over two nights. [I did have a bit of a hiatus in reviews over the holidays, hence only getting to the review now. Writing this on its release date 30/1].

Grace McKellon does not have an easy life and is not a particularly easy person, probably as a direct result of all that has happened to her. Since her father and brother died in a traumatic and tragic car accident, which she survived, her mother has taken refuge in alcohol and is rarely sober. Grace’s ongoing therapy is not very helpful, but then she herself is not responsive to the possibility of help either.

Their home is barely that, although Grace strives to keep her own room and things organised and clean. She’s not one of life’s ‘mixers’. She doesn’t draw attention to herself in any setting, certainly not school. She has two salvations. Her passion for magic, which she started learning at a very early age, and her feisty, contrary Gran, with whom she spends a fair bit of time.

The first crack in a subsequently seismic shift occurs when good-looking, older Simon notices her magic and persuades her to let him manage an arrangement which will earn her money and notice. Reluctant at first, but realising a need for some cash flow and a way to further develop her already considerable skills, she reluctantly agrees (with every bit of her grandmother’s attitude – no wonder they ‘click’!).

Add to this, her suspicion that her formerly favourite funcle, Mike, has stolen money from her gran’s account, and then the diagnosis that Gran is terminally ill, and it’s no wonder this girl is resistant to all overtures of friendship or concern. Grace moves in to care for Gran with alacrity, as this will get her out of the messy and depressing situation in her own home.

Little by little, one tiny action or happening at a time, Grace’s frozen heart begins to thaw – just as Gran’s is beginning to fail. This is a story of raw grief, passionate and tenacious characters, tentative hope, the quirky foibles of us humans, and altruistic kindnesses.

Just as Grace does not do tricks, rather she understands how humans react and think, and misdirects their attention accordingly – her magic really is quite extraordinary – so does Jonsberg, mesmerise his readers. He cleverly reveals insights into his characters and their actions, leading us all the while to consider choices and challenges we might all face at one time or another.

The publisher and booksellers suggest this is a middle-grade novel and suitable for 11 years up, however, if it were in my library it would be very firmly in the secondary collection.

These are older characters, there is some level of profanity and, certainly, some very heavy-duty issues including the grief and voluntary assisted dying. I give it a big recommendation for mature readers from 12 years upwards – and would, if it it were in my collection – also include a disclaimer.