The Rocket-Powered Racing Caravan (C E Hayes, Omnibus Books)
Endless homework, out-of-touch teachers, imperfect parents, failed first dates and, of course, bullies. Grade Seven is a tough gig! How on earth is Earl Grey going to survive the year? Luckily, he has a plan. All he needs is a caravan. There’s just one catch: it’s going to cost him his life savings ($27) and six months spent shovelling horse poo for a rumoured ex-mobster. But after a generous spritz of Glen 20 and some new solar panels, the revamped caravan is everything Earl has dreamed of. Stocked up with Wizz Fizz and Zooper Doopers, it’s the perfect retreat for Earl and his mates, Bruiser, Maisy Jo and Flick. Whether they’re skipping biology class or plotting the dramatic downfall of the smug school bully, the caravan is the place to be. The Rocket-Powered Racing Caravan evokes the spirit of Elizabeth Honey with its riotous depiction of growing up in a tight-knit, recognisably Australian rural town. It’s a compulsive read, with each chapter revealing more about Earl and his gang’s wacky year of small-town hijinks. Earl himself seems almost immune to negativity, and his sincere, upbeat narration is laced with straight-faced humour that will delight readers aged 10 and above. Filled with zany tales and spirited antics, Earl’s story reminds us that we can get through anything (maybe even Grade Seven!), as long as we have good friends by our side.
Books+Publishing reviewer: Katey Bellew is a children’s bookseller at Readings Kids. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.
