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naychapman's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I dove into this book after hearing great reviews from a colleague and from expert folk in the novel-writing world. After finishing this book in only two sittings, I now find myself in one of those deep moods where I am stuck thinking about the events of the story and how much it has affected me emotionally.
This story is told from the perspective (and I use this word meaningfully) of young Winifred, a 12-year-old girl living on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia in 1999. Mapping is used as an analogy to life – no matter how much maps can change and even lie about borders and how powerful nations claim to be, they cannot tell you how someone really is as a person. Events in life are like contour lines on a map in that they represent the ripple effects that change your perspectives and existence.
The plotlines from beginning to end are so intricately and flawlessly woven by the author. This would be a book recommendation I would give to a 10-year-old or above child who is a mature reader looking for something deep and meaningful to sink their teeth into. It would not be an easy read and would come with content warnings, but as the characters are aged 10-12, I feel that readers of around this same age and above could greatly relate. The content can be quite confronting but is broached and discussed in a kid-friendly manner that encourages the reader to ask questions and think critically about their own opinions, rather than just follow with what others think. Which is an important life lesson to learn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, War, Medical content, and Child death
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
curatoriallyyours's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It is easy to get a child's voice wrong - it's in trying to capture innocence without it coming across as stupidity, I think. This book is told from the perspective of a 12-year-old, and it is done with absolute believability to the reader - Danielle Binks gets it right. I also loved the way the author wove the concept of maps and geography throughout the story. I will absolutely be reading more from Danielle Binks and I'm glad to have come across her work. Highly recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Child death, Grief, Medical content, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, War, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Blood and Car accident
This is a book for children, so the discussion around war is at a child-appropriate level. More detail on miscarriage/child death:
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