Cans for Change

Cans for Change by Lawrey Goodrick (Hawkeye) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780645084474

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Daniel Jefferies is currently on his L-plates, learning to drive in his dad’s beloved XW Ford Falcon. All he wants are ordinary driving lessons with his dad faithfully by his side. However, Daniel’s dad is a compulsive recycler which means Daniel’s driving stints are a time when his dad constantly calls for him to stop the car when he spots “thoughtlessly misplaced fortunes.” His dad likes nothing more than collecting bottles and cans left on the side of the road and is not shy about a bin diving opportunity. To Daniel’s dismay, the back seat of the XW has become a temporary dumping ground for his dad’s collection, accompanied by the dreaded flies and stench! Daniel is frustrated and embarrassed by his dad’s erratic and obsessive behaviour, but his feelings are compounded when he is recognised by the school bullies when parked by an industrial bin… with his dad inside the bin! Pandemonium ensues when Daniel publicly disowns his dad.

Set in Queensland, Cans for Change is a fun and humorous middle-grade novel written in the first person by the teenage protagonist. The narrative includes a complex father-son relationship and a pro-recycling theme, written with a plethora of car related similes and references. The pages include plenty of white space and monochrome cartoon illustrations to break up the text. Cans for Change is suitable for an audience aged 8 years and older.