Ethan's voice by Rachel Carter
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781407135502.
Appropriate for upper primary students, this story is set on an
English canal and the central character Ethan lives with his mother
and father on a narrow boat. Life is simple for the trio who clearly
struggle financially as the father seeks intermittent gardening work
and the mother keeps a market stall to help maintain the family.
There is a sense of security, routine and belonging conveyed in the
narrative, to the extent that this family is loving and happy
despite the hardships. The biggest issue faced in their daily lives
is Ethan's inability to speak which has led to taunting and bullying
at school and subsequent withdrawal from mainstream education.
Home-schooled on the boat, Ethan is happy roaming and interacting
with nature, yet he is clearly a lonely little boy, given that he
can only communicate silently with his kindly mother and loving, yet
stressed and tense father. When another boat moors nearby, a whole
new world opens up for Ethan as Polly, a girl of his age, comes to
visit and the pair set out on innocent adventures and exploration of
the local environs. Importantly, Polly is a tolerant and undemanding
soul who understands Nathan's nature and shows sensitivity regarding
the speaking disability.
Narrative development is linked to Nathan's creative writing of a
journal, ostensibly for his studies, which reveals the trials and
tribulations of a Medieval Page who yearns to become a Knight.
The reason for Nathan's speech impediment is revealed gradually and
his capacity to understand and reconcile it provides the framework
for the story's conclusion. Within the tale are interesting little
references to being blindfolded or not being able to use one's arms
in games. This helps to demonstrate that other means can be adopted
to fulfill a need, and also that the assistance of others in a
trustful relationship is valid.
Ethan's and Polly's mutually beneficial friendship provides
companionship, and confiding in each other enables them to cope with
life's challenges.
Rob Welsh