Title: Alex
Author: Rosanne Hawke
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781760877002
Pub Date: 2023
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)
Alex by Rosanne Hawke is a touching and powerful story about a young boy living on a farm during a long drought in South Australia. The main character, Alex, is 13 years old and lives with his mum, dad, and his dog Tangi. Life is really hard on the farm because there’s barely any rain, and everything is dry and dusty. To make things worse, Alex’s dad is very depressed and quiet after bushfires destroyed their sheep. Alex has to help his mum keep things going.
One of the best parts of the story is when Alex makes new friends, including Bonnie, whose family has camels. I thought that was really cool! Alex and his friends start a recycling project to help the environment and their town. They make things out of plastic and try to make a difference. It was inspiring to see how young people can help solve big problems like climate change.
This book also talks about serious things like mental health and how tough life can be in the country. But it’s also full of hope, friendship, and courage. I liked how Alex never gave up, even when things were really hard. I also loved reading about the animals, especially the camels and the bond between Alex and his dog.
I think this book is great for kids in Year 6 and up. It teaches you about farming life, climate change, and how important it is to support each other in tough times. I would recommend Alex to anyone who likes stories about real life, nature, and making a difference.
By Hamdaan