Just So Stories

Scholastic Australia

August 2024

ISBN: 9781760266370

ISBN-10: 176026637X

RRP: $18.99

Richard Yaxley is one of our outstanding local authors, acclaimed and awarded for many of his books, and this newest one is another fine example of his skill. Earlier in the year I reviewed the wonderful The Other Shadow and this book is, to my mind, of a similar premise.

Malt is once again having to move, at his mother’s whim. Not for this boy a settled home, no matter how humble, regular school and establishing friendships. His erratic mother habitually has them packing up traps and moving, in search of what, not even she seems to know.

This time they are moving to his mum’s home town, and his grandmother’s house ‘temporarily’ and, clearly on his mother’s part with some reluctance – necessity rather than choice. Malt has never met his grandmother before, but in her, he soon realises he has found the solid foundation he has been craving his entire life.

But there are strange things to deal with in Pembrooke and the Bushman’s Valley. There’s the white owl that keeps mysteriously turning up on Malt’s windowsill, and there’s the equally mysterious young girl who appears to him randomly when he’s out walking among the beautiful trees. And then there’s his mother, suddenly all social, disappearing regularly to be with ‘friends’ and intent on Malt meeting his father – a man hitherto a huge secret, reputedly a soldier.

It’s evident to the reader that Malt’s mother has many issues and is a far from ideal parent. In fact, she’s essentially a waste of space. When his father does turn up, he too is a less than a model parent type. The pair of them are like – irresponsible, selfish and much more focused on substances and their own wants. It is fortunate for Malt that he now has his grandmother as a bulwark against the extremes of his mother’s wild and irresponsible nature.

But what of the secrets of the Valley and the ‘ghost’ girl? As the mystery unravels, it becomes clear that Malt’s mother is not just a poor parent, she was an even poorer friend to someone who deserved better. I loved this and not least of all, because like The Other Shadow, sometimes for some kids, they are actually better off without their biological parent. It is what it is. And for those kids to be able to see themselves, or for others to recognise that it’s not all hunky-dory for some of their mates, is so important.

It is both compelling and poignant, and the mystery unravels in a hugely satisfying way. Most of all, the reader will feel like cheering when realising that Malt will stay with his grandmother, safe and loved and nurtured, while his mother flits off into the sunset. I know I did.

My only less than positive comment has nothing to do with Richard’s excellent writing but the cover design – again, like The Other Shadow, this cover art does nothing for the book. I suspect both covers were done by the same artist and sorry to say, they’ve completely missed the opportunity to create something atmospheric for special narratives. They are both pretty awful, not to put too fine a point on it.

However, though we do judge books by their covers, once you book-talk this one up to your readers, and the word-of-mouth starts happening, this one will be in hot demand. This is a top read and I recommend it for your astute readers from around 12 upwards with a 5 🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉 rating.