Barefoot Kids by Steve Hawke
In my job I often select books to purchase or read based on the publisher. And Fremantle Arts Centre Press has been a leading publisher of books for children and young adults for many years. Just look at my comments about Destroying Avalon or Mama’s Trippin’But this time, somebody made a mistake.
Barefoot Kids is set in Northern Western Australia. The Jirroo kids (all related) decide to form a band, they were really looking for fun and entertainment. However, a developer has decided that their favourite beach is going to be a new resort, and suddenly life becomes serious. Their music needs to express what they feel about the land and what is happening to it. Add a mystery about stolen diamonds and hidden graves, and WWII secrets, and the barefoot kids find themselves in over their heads.
At that level, it sounds fun. A bit of adventure mixed with mystery and a strong environmental theme. My objection is the lack of subtlety. A favourite beach can remain just that, does it also have to be an Aboriginal sacred site? The missing diamonds are a strong distraction, but did the author have to blatantly shove the broken pendant clues in our face right from the start (including the cover art.)
This is Steve Hawke’s first book for children, and it really is for children. I can’t imagine anyone over 12 giving this book any credibility. In fact I wonder if any editor would have wasted his time if Steve didn’t have a very famous father named Bob.
