A good kind of trouble by Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward

Blurton and Saward’s novel opens with a page in a diary writing assignment by Jamie to her English teacher. Even in these first pages the reader gets the sense of a loving extended family. Jamie’s mother is somewhere else, Jamie is living with her aunt and uncle, her older brother Poss, and her younger cousins. Everybody pitches in, they all have responsibilities, and they all care for each other. It is this supportive and unconditional love that sustains Jamie through her problems at school.

Jamie is Noongar, Western Australian, and the new girl in class, Stella, is Murri, from Queensland. When Stella stands up with Jamie when she questions the version of Australian history being taught in school, the two of them forge a friendship that leads to a combined project to challenge inherent racism and change the school curriculum.

Not only is Jamie Aboriginal, she is also a self-declared ‘queer’ or bisexual. She has to stand up to bullies on both accounts. The book becomes a strong advocate for taking pride in oneself, standing strong, and taking action for change. It is an inspiring story with similar values to another recent Indigenous debut novel Brightest wild by Tania Crampton-Larking, those of family and caring, good friendships and positive attitudes, though the latter was written for a slightly younger readership.

The other theme in this book, not to be ignored, is football! Jamie is a star football player and fights a battle to be included in mixed teams, hoping eventually to be selected for a football scholarship; another inspiration for girl wannabe football players.

A good kind of trouble by Indigenous authors Blurton and Saward promises to be a series. It will be interesting to see where it goes next. It’s certainly off to a good start, and is a welcome addition to the new authentic voices making their mark in YA literature. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Aboriginal culture, LGBTQIA+, Family, Friendships, Identity, Bullying, Football.

Helen Eddy