Reviewed by Melissa Wray
Thomas has a friend that only he can see, a shadow
that supports Thomas whenever he needs it, especially since his dad died. But
what will happen if the shadow disappears? How will Thomas cope?
Thomas has the weight of the world on his shoulders as
he tries to look after his younger sister, especially when his mother spirals
out of control. She suffers from mental health challenges and the effects on
the two children range from forgetting to buy food to unwashed clothes to
leaving her children alone for days.
Ingram has tackled several big hitting topics in this
book and has done so with compassion and sensitivity. Topics like neglect,
mental health, child protection and foster care are very real topics and much
needed conversations about some of our most vulnerable people, yet they are
rarely found so eloquently within young adult storylines. Ingram has responded
to these gritty and uncomfortable areas through the creation of a beautiful
young character called Thomas, whose strength and vulnerability is portrayed in
a heart wrenching combination.
Thomas tries to be a good son for his mum when she is well
but is even more desperate to be a good older brother for his sister Tilly when
his mum is unwell. It is often around these moments that the other shadow
quietly arrives and provides support and guidance for Thomas. The introduction
of the other shadow to Thomas’s world after his dad dies is a beautiful
metaphor that the reader can interpret in many ways. It would be a great
discussion point for secondary school age readers or any book club.
Ingram has also woven some strong supporting
characters into the storyline. But the strength in her storytelling shines in
the way she addresses Mum’s mental health challenges. It is very well done and
sensitive. This story will break your heart and raise you up again and again.
Make sure you have the tissue handy!
While The Other Shadow uses a younger main
character, the mature themes of child protective services and mental health
issues might mean some confronting storylines. For this reason, I suggest The
Other Shadow is suitable for a mature 12+ year-old readership.
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