Page 62 - Tropic Magazine Issue 32

TROPIC • BOOKS

Colourful tale

BOOK REVIEW
Grade 6 student, Lana Kandakji
from Trinity Anglican School,
shares her thoughts on Rainfish There were some parts in the book that
by local doctor-turned-author had colourful language, but it always was
within context and appropriate to the
Andrew Paterson. characters when expressing their anger.

Rainfish is set in a small town near a The tension built especially when Aaron
rainforest in Far North Queensland. was trying not get caught. I had no clue
There, a boy named Aaron is persuaded what would happen next!
to steal during the school holidays before This book took me on a journey full of
Year 8 starts. Throughout the book, excitement and curiosity and included
Aaron is scared to admit his actions. Aboriginal culture, which I found really
Though, he remembers an Aboriginal interesting. I 100 per cent recommend
Dreamtime story about trouble that this book for children 11 years and above
happens when catching or killing who like emotional, Dreamtime, and
mudcod, also known as rainfish. family stories, because this book has it all.
Aaron then starts wondering if the
story is true or if his crimes are catching
up with him, because problems start
to arise for him.
This was a fantastic, captivating read.
It was filled with twists and turns, and at
every corner, there was always a surprise.
I pondered if Aaron’s problems would
cease, or whether he’d be caught? I must
say though, Aaron was an outstanding
character. The way he was described,
I could clearly imagine him being real.
This book teaches that honesty is the best
policy and there is no better way than
teaching children by showing it through a
book character. You could also feel all the
emotion inside him; his fear, anger and
sadness, but also his happiness and joy.

More local reads

Alexandra Aikhenvald Makenzie Sheldon Arnie Duffield and Lee Duffield
CQUniversity Adjunct Professor At just 15-years-old, Makenzie This memoir tells the story of
and linguist, Aikhenvald has from St Monica’s College has young Arnie, who in 1936 arrived
recently released I Saw The written a book about Shelby, one of at Thursday Island with his father
Dog: How Language Works, a the many sea turtles being taken and brother, and remained there
non-fiction book celebrating care of at the Fitzroy Island Turtle for 70 odd years. Arnie: Pearls
First Nations languages across Rehabilitation Centre. Shelby’s and Luggers documents the days
the globe. From the remote Hunt for Their Family Home tells of sailing luggers and deep-sea
swamplands of Papua New Guinea the tale of Shelby’s mission to find diving, the war on Australia’s
to the university campuses of her 99 baby turtles a suitable home doorstep, and the shift from
North America, the book illustrates on the Great Barrier Reef. The self- colonial times to the Mabo Native
the value of languages and the published books are being donated Title case in 1992.
tragedy of losing them. Who knew to prep and Grade 1 students
Dyirbal (spoken between Cardwell across Cairns. Go Makenzie!
and Tully) has four genders:
feminine, masculine, neuter
and ‘edible’?

62 • Tropic • Issue 32