Calypso summer by Jared Thomas
Magabala Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922142122.
(Age: Upper Secondary students) Well recommended.
A strong storyline with feisty young indigenous characters buoys
this novel along. It's told with candid humour in modern, young
adolescents' language; often funny and insightful, with clever use
of local language. Calypso is a dreadlocked urban Nukunu who finds
work in a health food store. The owner is looking for a way to sell
natural remedies. This leads Calypso on a journey to the Southern
Flinders Ranges, thanks to his mother, to source local plants. On
the way he becomes fascinated with his heritage, especially his
family and their stories. He meets Clare, a Ngadjuri girl who loves
and is as knowledgeable about cricket as he is. Their pathway weaves
from family stories to a cousin and friend caught up in smoking and
selling ganja, to a run in with the police and a strengthening of
their relationship. The story 'explores the universal theme of the
multiple cultural influences bearing down on young people and the
need to draw from the best traditional and modern knowledge to
address social issues. It also reflects on the way Aboriginal people
aligned with people of the Caribbean through their cricketing
prowess and reggae music.' Media Release.
Sue Nosworthy