The Boy at the Back of the Class

by Onjali Q Raúf

Just One Thing

Dr Michael Mosley

Just One Thing brings to life a mission to unearth small simple things which will have a big impact on your mental and physical health.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

Toshikazu

Kawaguchi

This beautiful, moving story explores the age-old question: what would you change if you could travel back in time?

Old Babes in the Wood

Margaret Atwood

A highly personal new collection of 15 stories by the bestselling, twice Booker-winning cultural icon. Coming March.

The London Seance Society

Sarah Penner

From the author of the bestseller The Lost Apothecary comes a spellbinding gothic whodunit introducing two women who set out to solve an unusual mystery.

WORDS: ELIZABETH ALLEN

The protagonist of this middle grade novel is nine-year-old Alexa and it would be perfect for readers aged nine to 11 years old or anyone who is young at heart. The titular boy who joins Alexa’s class one day is Ahmet, a Syrian refugee, who has “… run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and bullies that hurt people.” At first Alexa finds Ahmet strange but the more she learns about him the more she and her friends want to help him to be reunited with his family.

They come up with the Greatest Idea in the World and the Emergency Plan that involves inviting themselves to have tea with the Queen so they can convince her to stop the government “closing the border gates” to people like Ahmet. Needless to say, much drama and media attention ensues when two nine-year-olds gatecrash Buckingham Palace.

This novel tackles the refugee crisis from a child’s perspective and through this naïve lens is able to simplify what is a complex issue. Alexa asks many questions of the adults around her as she tries to understand why the topic of refugees seems to be such a polarising one: “‘What did the refugees do to make the bad people want to hurt them?’ I asked, thinking it must have been something very bad to make someone want to drop a bomb on their houses.”

Alexa’s constant questioning is artlessly informative and manages to get right to the heart of the matter: “Sometimes I think everyone likes to believe a lie even when they know it’s a lie because it’s more exciting than the truth. And they especially like to believe it if it’s printed in a newspaper.” www.thepoetelizabethallen.com

Although set in the UK the themes of this book are universal and there are obvious parallels to the refugee situation in Australia. Raúf deals with a potentially depressing topic with a lot of humour and warmth which is often brought about by Alexa’s earnest attitude to life and her tendency to take things very literally.

Ultimately this novel is a celebration of the power of friendship and what unites us whether that be a shared love of Tintin comics or soccer or the grief of having lost someone you love. It also affirms the strength of community and the capacity for one person to make a meaningful difference no matter how old they are.

Elizabeth will be reviewing all types of books – children’s, fiction, non-fiction, poetry and more. She is an accomplished writer and is the children’s literature specialist at Burns Bay Bookery.

Community Connections

 MIXED SOCIAL GOLF

ANC golf established 1955 are looking for new members. Demographic 50+

WHERE: games are played at 6 different courses on the Lower North Shore.

WHEN: every second Sunday. Feb - Nov.

COST: $50 pa ( to cover cost of prizes) plus prevailing green fee.

REQUIREMENTS: no handicap necessary. Understanding the basic rules and etiquette of the game required.

CONTACT: robertharrington141@gmail.com or petersmith55@aapt.net.au

 Hunters Hill Croquet Club will be holding an Open Day for Seniors Week on Saturday 18 February, 10am - 2pm There will be many members willing to demonstrate our wonderful sport. All equipment provided, with a free sausage sizzle.

WHERE: 1 Matthew Street, Hunters Hill.

COST: FREE

EMAIL: huntershillcroquet@gmail.com

This sport will test your co-ordination and strategy and, most importantly, it’s fun. Come and give it a try.

 Pizza + Movie Nights

@ Longueville UC Hall, 47A Kenneth St, Longueville

TIME : 6.30pm Pizza; 7.15pm Movie

Tuesday 7 February : “I am Sam” –American drama of “love versus ability, and the individual against an unbending system”, starring Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and Dakota Fanning.

Tuesday 7 March : “Sometimes Always

Never” – British comedy/drama of a stylish tailor who spends years looking for his missing son who stormed out over a game of scrabble....starring Bill NIghy, Sam Riley and Jenny Agutter.

Bookings essential on 9428 4287 or 9427 4740

Cost : $10 – the best value pizza/movie combo anywhere ! BYO drinks

 Time4U - Every Wednesday from 1 Feb @ 10am Friendly and fun mornings with home made morning tea in St Andrew’s UC Hall, 47A Kenneth St, Longueville. We are revisiting rural towns with the fascinating ABC series “Backroads”. 10am to noon.

Enquiries : Frank on 9427 3215

Cost $5.00