Alex by Rosanne Hawke

South Australian author Rosanne Hawke has written the third novel in the Australian Disaster Zones series. Alex is the story of a thirteen-year-old boy who lives with his family on a farming property called Spring Park in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia. This engaging novel is set in 2020 in an area that has suffered significant drought for a number of years as well as devastating bushfires sweeping through the area in 2019.

As a young student living on a farm Alex must travel long distances on the school bus each day but before he leaves he is responsible for doing a number of chores in order for the farm to remain viable. Once home Alex also has a heavy workload as his father is struggling with his mental health resulting from the bushfires and Alex’s mum has taken shifts in the local pub to make ends meet. Alex loves farm life and enjoys nothing more than being with his kelpie Tangi and colt Jago.

Alex’s new neighbour Bonnie and her family have moved in next door with camels. They are training the camels to work with tourists on treks in the outback and this causes concern for some of the region’s residents. Alex and Bonnie become firm friends and spend time together connecting with each other’s animals, helping each other in times of need, battling feral dogs, exploring their environment and most importantly revealing their long-held secrets and worries. Together with Harry another Year 7 student they set up a plastic recycling initiative which draws the whole community together as well as allowing Alex’s dad to find a new purpose in life.

Rosanne Hawke has cleverly interwoven so many important topics into this narrative including the effects of climate change, overuse of plastics, First Nations care of Country, depression, and the history of camels in Australia. The strength and resilience of Alex, Bonnie and the other children, their daily struggles and hopes, how they deal with drought and other life issues are told beautifully in this story. A fascinating read.

Themes: Fire, Drought, Farming, Family, Friendship, Secrets, Rural Schooling, Mental Health, Trauma, Sustainability, Climate Change.

Kathryn Beilby