Takeaways is a new series by Lothian for early teenage readers.  It is a very interesting collection with new titles alongside re-issued classics like Blue Fin by Colin Thiele.

These 3 new titles all look at kids' perceptions of their families during the early teen years, as told directly by them.  In each case there is some humour, some tragedy and a lot of growing up involved.

The Keeper is the most serious of the three.  Joel lives with his Gran in a small fishing town in South Australia.  He has major behaviour problems at school and desperately wants a Dad so he can feel that he fits in.  So he advertises for one in the paper and meets Dev, a biker just out of gaol.

Through him, Joel learns some daunting lessons about his own history, about trust and loyalty, and about facing problems.

The story is very immediate, told through Joel's thoughts. His gradual growth of understanding through some very challenging episodes keeps the excitement high.

The Keeper is a very good study of a troubled boy.

Read my mind! is lighter in its mood, following Tahnee as she tries to cope with her workaholic parents and what she sees as her famous architect mother's lack of care for her.

Over a few days, she wags school to complete an assignment, sneaks off to an AFL match in Geelong, knocks out her sister's tooth and meets a famous author.  Through all this we hear only Tahnee's rather whining voice as she complains, schemes and stumbles her way from one crisis to another.

Of course, things all work out, though not exactly as Tahnee plans.  Finally, she starts to appreciate that other people might also have needs and problems.

The Worst Year of My Life is another cavalcade of disasters and crises in the life of a young teenager.  This one has an interesting subplot, however, through looking at an Australian Jewish family with their traditions, religious observations and culture.

David Myers is facing his Bar Mitzvah with all its family and social expectations of him. He also has all the usual teenage problems with schoolwork, teachers, sport, friends and personal identity.  Again, the story is told with his voice as he sees the whole world against him.

While most of the story's episodes seem to leave him floundering in embarrassment, his gradual realization of his grandmother's Holocaust experience help him to build confidence in himself and tolerance for his family and friends 

This story sneaks up on you, a light frolic through a teenager's traumas which gradually shows its depth and feeling.

The Takeaways series offer a very good selection for early teenage readers.  They are well-written stories about realistic people.  And they are Australian.

Other books by Roseanne Hawks:
Sailmaker (Lothian, 2002)

Review by David Beagley

© 2002 David Beagley