Just So Stories

Magabala Books

February 2025

Hachette Australia

9781922777546 | RRP $17.99

Just over a decade ago I reviewed Dr Jared Thomas’ YA novel Calypso Summer, which was quite the wild ride showing two sides of young urban Indigenous culture, particularly young men. Over the intervening years Jared has continued to go from strength to strength, award to award in this writing. Sadly only a few came my way via the library, not via reviews.

Last year’s success with Uncle Xbox (2023) longlisted in the CBCA awards, introduced us to a new cast of characters, this time pitched at younger readers. Uncle Rick, nicknamed Xbox, because of his influence in getting Dusty his own xbox, has become an important mentor for this young boy.

I have previously included statistics in reviews, of the disproportionate numbers of First Nations Youths in custody. I also know first-hand of Aboriginal teens who have got themselves into real trouble: with the law, severe physical harm, even death, through dangerous behaviours, often in response to situations of high stress or emotional outbursts.

Dusty retaliates to the constant sniping, racist remarks and downright bullying from classmate Wayde with his own style of teasing, which only makes the bullyboy more fired up. When Wayde blatantly brings Dusty down in the lunchbreak soccer game, causing him very real injuries, Dusty retaliates and gives Wayde a bloody, if not broken, nose.

It’s bad luck that the principal only sees the fisticuffs and won’t believe Dusty’s version, so he cops a 2-day suspension and, worse, incurs the wrath of his mum. Grounded! No xbox, no soccer not even kicking the ball in the yard, nothing… zip, for a week.

Uncle Xbox has another idea and persuades his sister, Dusty’s mum, that it would be more beneficial and good learning if he takes Dusty out on Country for a few days. The secret place is a good place for fishing and surfing, two of Dusty’s favourite activities and, even better, his other mentors are there with some wisdom and teachings.

It’s not all smooth sailing though and Dusty learns some really valuable lessons the hard way. By the time he gets back to school, the principal has also uncovered the truth and apologises, but just to top that off, bullyboy Wayde assaults Dusty again in the make-up soccer game, and the principal sees it for himself…and now he’s the one to get suspended.

No one wants to be bullied and no one wants to be villified but often the best way to take the power from the bully is to not retaliate and escalate. This is a great book to share with your middle-grade kids, boys and girls, Indigenous or not as it offers some valuable strategies for dealing with such circumstances, without being too heavy-handed about it.

I really appreciate that over the ten years or so since I first read some of Jared’s work, his characterisations, ‘voice’ and representations of First Nations contemporary life and people have found a great groove that really hits the target audience squarely.

Especially if you’re working through some self-regulation and EI learning with your kiddos, this will be an invaluable asset. As a serial read over a week or so, it will add much to your class discussions and particularly help those students struggling with similar confrontations or dilemmas.

I’m giving it a 5 ❤️❤️💛🖤🖤 rating and hoping we can expect to see more of Dusty and Uncle Xbox.