Lorikeet Tree

Paul Jennings is the author of more than 100 books, beginning with 'Unreal!' in 1985, and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. He is a Member of the Order of Australia for services to children's literature and was awarded the Dromkeen Medal in 2001 and the Children's Book Council of Australia Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2019. Many of his books draw on his early experiences as a child immigrant to Australia from the United Kingdom and his life as a teacher and speech therapist.

This is a beautiful story told in a very unique way. I want to tell you its secrets, but I won’t, because discovering them is part of this literary journey and I don’t want to spoil it for you. But I will say this isn’t a typical start to end book. It won’t be exactly what you expect.With rich characters who reveal ALL their flaws, it’s the kind of book kids will read and remember forever. Through Emily’s internal struggles, you're forced to look inside yourself and consider so many different topics. It asks readers to think about family struggles, having to be an adult when you’re still a kid, environmental issues and right verses wrong.Big stuff, and yet the way Jennings delivers this book… it’s like he’s holding your hand through it all.This will be a more challenging read than some on the middle grade shelf, but it shouldn’t be missed. I am forever changed after reading it, and you will be too.And isn’t that what we hope for when we open a book?