Queenie in Seven Moves by Zanni Louise (Walker Books) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781760655662
Reviewed by Kylie Buckley
Queenie and her mother find themselves homeless when their beloved rental home
‘peachy’ is sold with little notice. The overcrowded rental market, brought on
by city dwellers moving further afield due to the COVID pandemic, means that
finding somewhere stable to live is currently beyond their grasp. As a result,
they move seven times during summer including stints living at an aged care
village, a friend’s house, and a caravan out of town.
Queenie, currently in her final year of primary school, is a keen guitarist and
music lover, but her talent often goes unrecognised due to her fear of
performing in front of others. During the period of unsettled living
arrangements Queenie grows in confidence through new experiences and unexpected
friendships, so much so that she agrees to enter the Summer Song Contest to
sing her original song.
Queenie in Seven Moves is written in the first person by 12-year-old
Queenie. Its themes include music, friendship, courage, and the housing crisis.
Zanni Louise is an Australian author of over 30 picture books, early readers,
and chapter books for young children. Queenie in Seven Moves,
inspired by her recent experiences, is her first middle grade novel. It is
highly recommended for an audience aged 10 years and older.
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