I loved the sensitive yet frank exploration of grief is so many forms – grief for a parent, grief for an unborn child, grief for a country, grief at displacement. I loved the small acts of kindness displayed by the characters (and not always the ones you expected), which pull the reader through some fairly harrowing times in society and in Fred’s family. There are so many things I enjoyed about this debut novel from Danielle Binks. When a group of Kosovar-Albanian refugees are brought to a government ‘safe haven’ not far from Sorrento, their fate becomes intertwined with the lives of Fred and her family in ways that no one could have expected. More and more it feels like a land-grab for family and ‘Fred’ is the one being left off the map.Įven as things feel like they’re spinning out of control for Fred, a crisis from the other side of the world comes crashing in. But now Pop’s had to go away, and Luca’s girlfriend Anika and her son have moved in. Also known as Fred, Freddo or Winnie, her mother died when she was six and she’s been raised by her Pop and adoptive father, Luca, ever since. Purchase in store from your local independent bookstore where possible #supportlocal. Apple and Amazon options are available for overseas & eBook purchases. The melding of a very personal story with the big issues of society makes for a novel which covers much terrain but remains engaging, authentic and full of heart.Ĭlick on ‘Buy from Booktopia’ when shopping online in Australia to #supportaustralian. Without a doubt one of my favourite middle grade reads in some time, ‘The Year the Maps Changed’ is a sophisticated novel which draws you in close to the intimate story of grief, loss and love experienced by one family while simultaneously giving a broad overview of the Australian government response to the desperate plight of refugees.
Teachers’ Notes: prepared by Robyn Sheahan-Bright Themes: Australia, modern history, ‘Operation Safe Haven’, Kosovar refugees, asylum, immigration, empathy, kindness, grief, loss, maps, geopgraphy, coming of age, family, blended family, divorce.
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