Just So Stories

Bloomsbury Publishing

January 2025

Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Publishing

ISBN	9781526663870

RRP: $16.99

Since the first Katya Balen title that came into my hands in 2019, I have loved this writer’s work. Obviously given her 2022 Carnegie Medal, I’m not the only one.

Each time her characters are flawlessly executed, with plots that are fresh and engaging. There is always such a perfect balance of emotions and action. Add to that, settings that are out of the ordinary, enhancing the overall feel of adventure and drama for her protagonists.

This new one had me invested from the first few pages. Tilda loves her life on the Island of Ayrie, where everyone knows everyone else, the hustle and bustle of the mainland is far enough away not to intrude, and when the tourist/puffin spotting season is over, the wildness and natural beauty of the island is hers to relish, along with her friends.

The entire upper grade at her school consists of just seven kids including Tilda. So when newcomers arrive on the last ferry of tourist season – a woman and a boy – not only is it extraordinary news (because no body comes to Ayrie out of season and, certainly, nobody comes there to live) but it means that there is a new addition to the senior primary class.

Except Albie makes it quite clear that he doesn’t want friendship and he doesn’t want to be on the island, no matter how many seals there are. Tilda feels personally aggrieved that he chooses to scorn her precious island, but then when she is tasked with helping Albie ‘feel at home and welcome’ she is even more aggrieved. She would much rather be spending her precious holidays with her friends, not trying to engage this sulky and bad-mannered boy who refuses to be impressed with anything.

And then Tilda remembers the haunted island. It’s reputation is fearsome. It’s forbidden for kids to go anywhere near it because even getting there across the channel is dangerous. But Tilda has a brand new sea kayak and she really, REALLY, wants to prove to Albie that Ayrie is not only a good place to live but the BEST place to be.

She’s already struggled a lot since her much-loved older brother took off to the mainland because life on the island was too narrow for him. Rowan’s absence is almost unbearable for her. Tilda’s and Albie’s adventure to the island is a test of their resilience, their courage and, ultimately, their burgeoning friendship.

This is just a wonderful exploration of the ties that bind us, both old and new, and how we, as humans, are able to adapt ourselves to new circumstances. It also shows our capacity for love and empathy. Your readers from around Year 4 will love this and I think that many of them would very happily live on Ayrie – away from ‘civilisation’. I know I would.

Very happy to give this a 5 🛶🛶🛶🛶🛶 rating.