Summer of shipwrecks by Shivaun Plozza
Summer of shipwrecks is a warm-hearted story that depicts, perceptively, the agony of being the third, younger wheel in a friendship group during the period of adolescent change. The front cover illustration by French illustrator Margaux Samson Abadie perfectly captures the setting and dynamics of the story. In the foreground Sid (the first person narrator) sits alone, well covered, with an enigmatic and unhappy countenance. In the mid ground with their backs to her and arms draped across shoulders are her old friend Lou and her new "bestie" Hailey. In the background is the rolling sea, crashing through Katherine's Cove. The picture captures the exclusion that happens when some girls mature physically ahead of others, the shifting nature of friendship and the backdrop of the violent ocean of the Victorian Shipwreck Coast.
Shivaun Plozza is an award winning author of books for children and young adults. Summer of shipwrecks is her latest middle-grade novel. She is also the author of Meet me at the Moon Tree, The boy, the wolf and the stars and A reluctant witch's guide to magic which have been CBCA Notable Books and have received commendations from the Victorian Premier's Literary Award amongst other starred reviews. Plozza grew up in Warrnambool, Victoria and as a teenager she fried fish and chips for the busloads of tourists on the Great Ocean Road. This familiarity with the place that she writes about in Summer of shipwrecks, (the fictitious but very recognisable town of Penlee Point close to Apollo Bay), shines through. In the Author's Note, Plozza informs the reader that the novel was inspired by the tragedy of the wreck of the Loch Ard and the tales of the more than 700 shipwrecks of the real life location of the Shipwreck coast, the lost treasure and resultant folklore.
The central character, Sid has been looking forward to catching up with her old holiday friend Lou on her annual trip to the Shipwreck Coast. Unfortunately when she arrives, she finds that Lou has brought a new friend with her, that she has matured into a teenager, put away "childish, uncool" interests like digging for treasure and has become far more interested in clothes and boys. The reader receives a first hand account through the eyes of Sid of the pain of rejection, the hopeless efforts at winning back friendship, the mistakes made whilst trying to win approval back and also of new possibilities of friendships that are truer to herself. Her slow and painful path to that discovery is made worse because of the divorce of her parents and her enforced holiday with her Mum's new boyfriend and his daughter. The adults' navigation of the difficult terrain of trying to build new blended families is dealt with with great warmth and sensitivity. This is helpful reading for many young people who may draw comfort from realising that they are not alone and that their feelings are valid. In the end, Sid realises there has to be give and take and that in all the change, she must be willing to make some changes too. She is a character of great honesty and gutsiness who learns to move on, adapt and be hopeful.
Summer of shipwrecks would be enjoyed by the large fan base of Nova Weetman's books, particularly the ever popular Elsewhere girls, Sick Bay and The edge of thirteen, because of its similar wise and clear-eyed depiction of preteen and teen characters struggling to come to terms with who they are and how they fit into the world. It is especially recommended for young Australian readers who are familiar with or who are interested in the history of the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes: Shipwreck coast of Victoria, History, Friendship, Coming of age, Change, Divorce, Blended families.
Wendy Jeffrey