Ruby of Kettle Farm by Penny Matthews
Ill. by Lucia Masciullo. Our Australian Girl series, bk 4.
Penguin Australia, 2013.ISBN: 9780143307457.
Highly recommended for 8-11 year olds. Themes: Farm Life, Family
Life, Historical Fiction, Great Depression - Australia. The Our
Australian Girl series are extremely popular with students
from eight to eleven years of age. Penny Matthews' novels follow the
ups and downs of twelve year old Ruby Quinlan's life. This final
novel is set in rural South Australia in 1931. Ruby has settled in
to life on Kettle Farm, helping her cousin May with the chores,
looking after the chickens and weeding the vegetable patch. Her
faithful dog Baxter is a constant friend. Unfortunately Ruby
discovers the truth behind her father's long absence and lack of
response to her letters. She also finds out the real reason her
family had to leave behind their big Adelaide house and comfortable
lifestyle. Ruby shows resilience throughout her family's difficult
times. She outfoxes the chicken thief, shows friendliness and
acceptance to the poorer West children and supports her mother as
well.
Interwoven through this story are wonderful pictures of real life in
the 1930's, food, schooling, daily chores, different classes of
society, clothing, right down to boiling rags for handkerchiefs and
using eucalyptus oil when the family are sick with a cold. Ruby and
May's adventure into Adelaide to search for Ruby's father highlights
the impact of the times with the homeless men unable to find work
camping in humpies by the River Torrens.
As the story concludes resolution and reconciliation occur and Ruby
remembers her year as both strange and marvellous. Lucia Mascuillo's
delightful pencil sketches add interest throughout the story.
Additional facts are included about real life in the 1930s.
Rhyllis Bignell