Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

January 2024

• ISBN: 9781761340598
• Imprint: Puffin
• $16.99

I love Shirley Marr’s description of herself ‘as having a Western Mind and an Eastern Heart‘, and the success of her books for middle grade readers that explore the experiences of children living in this mix of cultures is self-evident.

Her narratives not only speak to the children of Asian heritage living in Australia, but enable other children to understand more about their peers and how cultural differences can enrich our lives, our society and our nation.

This latest one has the utterly delightful fillip to readers of the whole retro vibe going on. It won’t matter that kids weren’t around to see Commodore computers, if they have no idea who David Bowie was [impossible surely? that would be very derelict of parents!] or a very young Matthew Broderick in the movie War Games. They will definitely pick up the vibe, particularly those who have watched Stranger Things [in my experience, that’s all of them!]. And guaranteed the Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake book is timeless, and I’d hazard a guess that any kid immersed in this story will be mentally choosing their own favourite cake.

James’ present is pretty unhappy. His parents have split up and now he’s shuttling his life between them – with his dad in their family house, and with his mum in her pretty grotty little flat. But his sadness is not simply about locations. He yearns to go back to the time when he was part of a happy family, the three of them climbing mountains and watching movies.

When he meets up with Yan, a definitely odd girl who seems fixated on some pretty weird stuff, the two form a bond. And, more than that, Yan’s invention of a time-machine could be the answer to James’ despondency. It’s a strange journey through loss and grief, past and present, humour and drama, cleverness and naivety as James and Yan navigate their way to some sort of happy resolution to the problems of both. And sometimes, the answer you end up wanting, is not the one you started to search for. I love this ‘a little bit of science and a whole lot of cake’ (Fiona Hardy).

It is a really heart-warming story, and one which I can envisage many readers thoroughly enjoying. I am giving it a huge recommendation for readers from mid-primary to lower secondary with a big 🎂🎂🎂🎂 rating.