Lani and the Universe (Victoria Carless, HarperCollins)

For young readers who enjoyed Gus and the Starlight (2022) comes another heart-warming and captivating story by Victoria Carless. Lani and the Universe tells the story of Lani Scrub, who dreams of becoming a world-renowned scientist like her hero, celebrity scientist Kit Galway. However, Lani’s carefully laid plan takes an unexpected turn when her mother embarks on a journey of self-discovery by joining the remote, nature-loving community of Passing Waters. As we meet this quirky and endearing community, complete with backyard chickens, it becomes clear that Lani’s life is about to transform. Lani struggles to adapt to her new environment. She questions the meaning of the universe, which leads to many life lessons along the way. Carless excels in creating relatable characters, including the nature-loving Lentil and the multi-talented Meadow, who are other members of the Passing Waters community. The story explores Lani’s journey of adaptation, self-discovery and resilience, weaving in themes of open-mindedness and embracing a diversity of ways of thinking and knowing. Carless’s prose balances accessibility with enchantment, making it a delightful read for young audiences aged 9+. The book skilfully combines scientific curiosity with the wonders of nature, offering a thought-provoking and engaging narrative. Lani and the Universe is a testament to the power of storytelling, particularly for readers who enjoyed The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller and The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L Holm.

Read our interview with Victoria Carless about Lani and the Universe here.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Nominated for Bookseller of the Year (2023), Emma Pei Yin is also a freelance writer and reviewer. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews