Rosanne HawkeCritiques

7/10, I picked this up from one of the two libraries I go to and this book is 20 years old now, wow throwback to the books in the 2000s, and this had a lower than 4-star rating so I went in with pretty low expectations considering that I've never read from this author before and this might be her debut book however it was interesting though certainly not one of the best historical books out there so where do I even begin? Did I mention that it's so obscure only a few people know of this book? The two stories within this novel were disconnected from each other at first, but they became related as I read through the book. There were two main characters, Zenna, and Jenefer, but Zenna for me was the better main character, since she experienced struggles such as finding a boyfriend, performing, and moving to Australia, but she overcame those challenges, it showed how resilient and perseverant she was, but Jenefer was rather flat in contrast if she wasn't, maybe this book would have received a higher score, but that issue is rather glaring and prevents me from rating this book any higher than that. It's such a shame that this book is so obscure therefore more people need to know about this book since it's a good one. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this book, if you like a quick read about family relationships and relatives, and historical theatre, this is the book for you, but if you want an in-depth look into historical theatre, I suggest you research it instead of reading this.

Review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley.

This story about reverse culture shock rang so real, I had to go back to the summary and make sure it was really fiction.

Jamie is still in high school when her family decides to leave Pakistan and move back to Australia so she and her siblings could continue their education. Even though she is supposed to be home, she feels like an alien, and as if she has lost her identity.

The story is narrated in first person and has few parts initially in a diary form—where Jamie changed the greeting for "Dear Pakistan—and then as a story inside the story, a kind of a what-if in case she had remained in Pakistan. I didn't like those parts for most of the book but it gradually caught me.

I haven't experienced anything close to Jamie but even I could relate to her situation. The author knew to put in words the feeling of not knowing where home is, and having lived through something though less intense I could identify word by word.

On the other hand, I still had a problem with Jamie. I have no idea how she was able to make so many friends when I couldn't feel any charisma on her part. I really wanted to like her, as I understood so well her feelings and even agreed with most of her choices, but it never happened.

The other flaw in the book was that it never engaged me. It did have a great conflict, it felt real but I didn't feel entertained. It was a very short story and easy to read, so this isn't a big loss. Still, had it been a longer book, I might have never remembered to finish it.

Even though this is the part of a series, the conclusion was more than satisfying, so I believe it can be read as a standalone. Still, I do feel curious about the next one in the series, as it brings again Jamie as the main character.

I believe it is the perfect pick for a younger public, middle-grade level. Moreover, the different point of view on Pakistan was very enriching, and would make for a heated discussion in a group, when compared to what one would usually think of the country and its costumes.

Really well written, engaging characters and page-turning plot. What more can you ask?

This was quite a harrowing account of child slavery and prostitution but I felt that there were too many loose ends as far as the minor characters were concerned. I appreciate that not everyone could have a happy ending, but my overall impression was one of dissatisfaction. I think Patricia McCormick did it better in the powerful "Sold".

This great story is set in the Barossa Valley area in South Australia. When Jenefer and her family move away from the city to this small town and into an old family home, built in the 1850s, Jenefer is sure she is going to be miserable. She is not at all prepared for the fascinating journey she embarks on after discovering a secret room in the house and a box filled with intriguing hints about the life of her triple great grandmother. Nor is she prepared for the relationship which developed between her and Caleb, whose mother was one of the stolen generation and whose indigenous background has set him apart from much of the local community in ways that Jenefer finds disturbing.
Rosanne Hawke really captures all the intrigue of family history research in this story; the mystery, the possibilities, the excitement of discovery, the images of past lives, the thrill of walking where ones ancestors have walked. The truth unfolds at a great pace – not too much at once and plenty of anticipation about what’s ahead.
The issues around Jenefer’s relationship with Caleb are also explored sensitively and provocatively. Caleb’s background and his character help the reader to consider what it truly means to be Australian, and to reflect on how to deal with prejudice against indigenous Australians. The love that develops between Caleb and Jenefer is touching and powerful.
I found Rosanne’s writing style engaging, her characters believable and likeable, the issues she raises compelling and inspiring. I believe this story will appeal to readers who enjoy history, family intrigues, romance and current issues around prejudice and acceptance. I look forward to reading other stories by Rosanne Hawke.

How does one address the horrors of child slavery in the sex trade for teen readers? Tactfully, honestly and implicitly as the author does quite well. Nothing gratuitously graphic (the squirmiest line for me was when a man tells Razaq he does it "better than the girls") but this is definitely better aimed at teens who can grasp the injustices of child slavery and be moved to act.

Where do I begin? A harrowing tale of survival that is gut wrenching and when everything seems absolutely hopeless finally has light at the end of the tunnel.

Here is a Good Reads REVIEW SUMMARY:
Radaq is a young man who loves his life in the mountains. He works hard to support his family and although only 15, he is looking forward to marriage to the girl his parents have chosen. This is the way life should be. Then the mountain is shaken by an earthquake and his whole family is killed. Alone and in shock, he is easy prey for a man who claims he will provide him free transport to the city to find his uncle. The transport is free all right, but instead of his uncle, a life of slavery is ahead. First he is sold to a man running a tea shop, but very quickly his good looks catch the eye of another adult and he is sold on and trained in the art of massage, and ‘whatever’.

Awful truth about those who prey on children left vulnerable by terrible disasters is not for the faint-hearted. This is almost an adult novel but older teenagers who live in affluent countries need to know this happens so they can try to do something to prevent it.

I adored the character who lived at the tip and cared for a number of disabled kids abandoned on the streets - he was an excellent foil to the other dregs of humanity and helped keep your faith about human kind as you read about the other low lifes.

A hard read but a must read - this stuff really happens. We cannot pretend it doesn't.

When seventeen year-old Ameera is sent to Pakistan by her father after he discovers that she is seeing a Pakistani Christian boy, she thinks she is attending her cousin's wedding. It is only when she arrives in the country, that Ameera discovers that the wedding is for her. She finds herself trapped in a country where women are treated poorly, and it is only through her courage and determination that she survives the betrayals, beatings and rape.

This is a well written book which looks at the issue of forced marriage which still takes place within certain cultures. The author's knowledge of Pakistan is clearly demonstrated as she brings the culture, ceremonies and customs alive. Whilst this is a book of fiction it is a fascinating read which will appeal to a wide range of readers.

This is the story of Tamara, a young teenager suffering from the death of her beloved, older brother. With the help of Gavin, who works for Tamara's father and Nathaniel, a mysterious boy from the past, Tamara gradually learns to live again.

"The Messenger Bird" is a gentle story with a nice touch of time travel woven through it. The chapters alternate between Tamara and Gavin, with the occasional chapter going back in time to allow the reader to further understand Nathaniel's story. Music plays an important part in this story. All three protagonists are talented musicians and music helps Tamara to heal. At times I found the plot rather slow but overall, not a bad little story.

Interesting story of tracing one's ancestry set in Kapunda in South Australia. Jennifer is in Year 12 when her father decides to uproot herself, stepmother and two half siblings to the country town to live in an ancestral home from the 1850s. The house has many secrets, not the least a hidden cupboard in her bedroom and a whole blocked off room that the white ant pest man discovers. Inside this room is a doll house which contains letters and photos from Jennifer's triple great grandmother Genivere. There are also photos of a mysterious Zenna Dare who looked like she was on the stage in London. Jennifer takes it upon herself to solve the mystery of Zenna by researching the family history. All the while she is encouraged by her new friend/boyfriend Caleb, a gentle indigenous boy. Along the way she encounters prejudice towards him for befriending her and vice versa...and touches on the famiy's connection to the stolen generation. A book about identity found through family history and the land.

This book was very enjoyable. The plot was exciting and made me want to read on. Jaime was characterised very well and the writing made me feel as if I knew Jaime personally. Teenagers from all over the world can relate to Jaime's feelings of loneliness and rejection. The novel explores the hardships of a girl who is trying to fit in again with her old culture and find her inner self. It shows the reader that shifting cultures can be a painful process but in the end, is quite rewarding. Borderland is definitely a book to read.

I really like this book. Young adult fiction. Suitable for year 11 upwards.

Ameera lives in Australia with an Australian born mum and Pakistani dad. She is being brought up according to traditional Muslim culture but now that she is older this is leading to some conflict with her father. After an incident, her father decides to send her to Pakistan for a holiday. Ameera does not realise that he has actually organised an arranged marriage for her.

Ameera is a good girl - the daughter of a Pakstani man who has recently become much stricter, and an Australian mother. She knows she should do as her father tells her, but not when it means being taken away from the people she loves (and that includes a young man who isn't Muslim).

Year 6