Eliza Vanda's button box by Emily Rodda

Milly is a quiet, shy girl in her final week of Year 6. Her family live in a seaside town and own five little cottages for rent. It's winter so the cottages sit empty and things feel strange and lonely at home. Milly's new baby sister has arrived early, and Milly's dad is racing to finish building a room in the attic before the baby and stepmother come home from hospital. Milly knows it makes sense for her to have more space and privacy in the bright new room, and for the baby to have her tiny old room next to the bathroom, but she can't help feeling a bit pushed out.

Then a wonderful stranger arrives to rent a cottage. Her name is Eliza Vanda and she needs space to finish an important job. Eliza is warm and lively. She introduces Milly to a world full of magic and fantastical characters, all accessed using buttons from Eliza's button box.

Buttons three, attend to me!

Take me where I want to be!

Milly embarks on a whirlwind of magical errands. She meets amazing folk including royal families, a witch, talking animals and people with tiny creatures (their emotions) living in their hair.

Milly grows so much over a week spent with Eliza. She makes smart choices, gains courage and belief in herself, and helps others with their courage and tempers. She speaks up for what is right, both to take responsibility for her own mistakes and to challenge authority figures. And over the course of a few days she comes to realise she is ready for change after all and is ready to move to her new room.

Multi-award-winning author Emily Rodda has written a rich story with wonderful characters, tangled mysteries and magical adventure.   

This would be a good choice for a book club and has teacher's resources available. Points for discussion include not judging people based on looks, taking responsibility for your actions, emotions (especially courage, anger, resilience and empathy), what makes a home, and how language is used to convey different worlds.

Themes: Magic, Family, Resilience, Courage, Adventure, Mystery.

Kylie Grant