(The
Wild Colonial Company)
PB RRP $14.99
ISBN 9780992306922
Reviewed by Francine Sculli
In Stand Up and Cheer, a part of
Australia’s lesser-known history has been turned into an incredible novel by
writer, Loretta Re, magically weaving the elements of a gripping read with the
historical threads that put Albury and Australia on the map.
Told through the
eyes of ten-year-old Jack, an eager aviator enthusiast, we are taken on a
wildly rich journey where we grow close to Jack’s family and learn the many
lessons this book offers. But let’s start from the beginning. Set in Albury in
1934 during the Great Depression, a time when aviation and the radio were the
people’s greatest entertainment, we meet Jack, his brother Arnie and their
parents. Jack’s mother inherits some money from a deceased family member. His
father, the town’s radio presenter and voice of the ABC – convinces Jack’s
mother that purchasing a car would be the best way to spend the money. The
family travels to Melbourne to make the purchase right at the time that Mac
Robertson – the Chocolate King – announces the ‘Great Centenary Air Race’ that
will see aviators from all over the world fly from England to Melbourne to
celebrate the centenary, and that he’ll be giving away a trip to Melbourne to
see them land at Flemington Racecourse for anyone who collects all the letters
on his Cherry Ripe wrappers.
This sparks Jack’s
obsession with the race and his desperate desire to see the planes. But he is
far away and has little chance of making it back to Melbourne for the race,
especially after the town bully, and son of his father’s obnoxious boss, Pat
O’Reilly, tears up the wrappers he has collected. Little does Jack know, this
great race will change his life forever when the giant Dutch plane, Uiver, loses its way in the storm en
route to Melbourne. Jack and his family are faced with a tough decision: do they
break all the rules and attempt to save the plane?
Stand Up and Cheer is not just a story about Albury’s place in aviation
history. With so many subplots running through its veins, this is equally a
story about family, bravery and what it means to stand by your values. Loretta
has created an intriguing world beaming with strong characters and a strong
voice that carves a clear picture of this era in history. With its captivating
writing style and incredible detail, adults and children alike can pick up this
book and get lost in its pages.
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