Brightest Wild (Tania Crampton-Larking, Lothian)

Brightest Wild, by Mirning woman Tania Crampton-Larking, was a winning manuscript in the 2019 black&write! Fellowships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers. It tells the story of 12-year-old Alex, who moves with her mum from the UK to Australia to form a family with her mother’s new partner, Art, and his teenage son, Koen. Adjusting to this new life isn’t easy for Alex; the Australian landscape feels alien, and she struggles with loneliness and isolation in a remote town without friends or extended family. Her new family dynamic is also challenging, especially with her stepbrother, who faces his own difficulties. As Alex settles into her new life, she forms meaningful friendships with kids from diverse backgrounds who help her navigate the challenges of adjusting to a new town—from dealing with school bullies to managing tensions within her new family. Through Alex’s relationships, she learns about her new environment and aspects of the local First Nations culture. As an outsider, Alex’s character often has cultural elements explained to her, but this means the writing can feel somewhat didactic. However, the book addresses a range of important issues, such as bullying, climate change, feeling different, dealing with panic attacks and navigating difficult family dynamics. While some messages are delivered directly, this simplicity makes complex topics more relatable for younger readers, especially those aged 9–11. In the same vein as Barbara Dee’s Maybe He Just Likes You, the storyline allows readers to connect with Alex’s emotional journey, encouraging empathy and understanding through her experiences.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Fay Helfenbaum is a freelance writer and editor and was a bookseller for five years. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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