Six Summers of Tash and Leopold (Danielle Binks, Lothian)

Middle-grade readers who enjoyed A L Tait’s The First Summer of Callie McGee and Nova Weetman’s The Edge of Thirteen will delight in this compelling coming-of-age story targeting the ever-growing Australian ‘primary-to-high school transition’ book market. Six Summers of Tash and Leopold by Danielle Binks (The Year the Maps Changed) uses a boy’s first-person POV to explore this unique time in life. The end of Year 6 is fast approaching for history buff Leopold (Leo) and he’s navigating the pressures and strains of friendships, shifts in family dynamics and suburban changes, while reluctantly preparing to start Year 7 on a scholarship at a private school in the city. Alytash (Tash) is his neighbour and one-time best friend, but no longer. Leo and Tash have issues and secrets, as do the diverse, full cast of characters they interact with. Equal parts plot- and character-driven, the narrative moves along at a gentle albeit page-turning pace, with occasional high-stakes action peaks, such as Leo fainting, a house fire, and a flooding stormwater drain. Interwoven are complex themes, including mental health and anxiety (panic attacks, school refusal and agoraphobia), gambling addiction and death. Aleks, Leo’s uncle; Mrs Shepparson, an older neighbour; and Mx Chambers, the school librarian, are strong characters and provide practical, sound advice about bravery, acknowledging your feelings and building resilience. Readers aged 10+ will recognise familiar characters, settings and challenges in this ode to friendship, families and libraries!

Books+Publishing reviewer: Alida Galati is a freelance reviewer, secondary school librarian and writing and reading enthusiast. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews