The
Little Wave by Pip Harry (University of Queensland
Press) PB RRP $16.95
ISBN 9780702260476
Reviewed by Kylie Buckley
The Little Wave is a middle grade fiction novel set in NSW. The story follows three grade five students in the weeks leading up to a school excursion to the beach. Two of the main characters, Noah and Lottie, are from the coastal suburb of Manly. Their class will be hosting a class from a country primary school for the outing to the beach. The third character, Jack, is from a (fictional) rural town called Mullin. He has never been to the beach before and is excited about the upcoming adventure to Manly. None of the three are friends…yet.
The three students have very different home lives based on varied family circumstances and each are struggling with different worries. As they get to know each other, through required school projects, each of the characters begin to feel supported and empowered by the unlikely new friendships they form. The story demonstrates that sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone and getting to know new people can be exhilarating and life changing. A lesson for us all!
The Little Wave is a novel-length narrative beautifully written in free verse. Pip Harry’s simple yet powerful word choices create a fabulous story with themes of family, diversity, friendship, grief, bullying and hardship. It is written in the first person by each of the three main characters, in alternating chapters. The Little Wave is a book about triumph over adversity and highly recommended for children aged 9+, especially those looking to expand their literary horizons beyond novels written in prose.
ISBN 9780702260476
Reviewed by Kylie Buckley
The Little Wave is a middle grade fiction novel set in NSW. The story follows three grade five students in the weeks leading up to a school excursion to the beach. Two of the main characters, Noah and Lottie, are from the coastal suburb of Manly. Their class will be hosting a class from a country primary school for the outing to the beach. The third character, Jack, is from a (fictional) rural town called Mullin. He has never been to the beach before and is excited about the upcoming adventure to Manly. None of the three are friends…yet.
The three students have very different home lives based on varied family circumstances and each are struggling with different worries. As they get to know each other, through required school projects, each of the characters begin to feel supported and empowered by the unlikely new friendships they form. The story demonstrates that sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone and getting to know new people can be exhilarating and life changing. A lesson for us all!
The Little Wave is a novel-length narrative beautifully written in free verse. Pip Harry’s simple yet powerful word choices create a fabulous story with themes of family, diversity, friendship, grief, bullying and hardship. It is written in the first person by each of the three main characters, in alternating chapters. The Little Wave is a book about triumph over adversity and highly recommended for children aged 9+, especially those looking to expand their literary horizons beyond novels written in prose.
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