Set in Geelong in 1956 at the time of the Melbourne Olympics. Jack and his polio-afflicted friend Percy team up with a new migrant from Germany called Heinrich. They spend their time in the town avoiding the local bullies, and after an incident involving jack's dog, befriend a local hermit called "Mad" Mick, whose face has been disfigured in the First World war. Jack discovers that Mick has a half built boat in his garage , and together with Heinrich and Percy (and a local girl called Anna) they set about to finish the project Mick started before the war changed everything.
This novel invokes a great feeling of the era in the language the boys use and the description of Geelong and its people. The author uses his own memories and remarks on actual streets and places that exist in Geelong, which lends the book much authenticity. For Years 7-8. ( )