The jammer by Nova Weetman

Roller Derby is a sporting pursuit that few know well, except perhaps for the classic Roller Derby nicknames that are part of the community culture. ‘Fred or Dead’ is a pre-teen girl (and Fred is genuinely her name!), the only child of a loving, semi-nomadic family who have regularly relocated, but have recently made Brisbane their home. Fred has joined her mother in the Roller Derby community as a Jammer in competitions, and she is a tough participant. Her mother Sarah ‘Scarer’ has been a passionate participant and coach in the quirky sport. When this story begins, we know that Sarah has just died after a fairly rapid cancer journey. Fred is deeply distressed and her sadness pervades the entire story and also undermines her opinion of Roller Derby and destroys her joy in skating. Fred and her grieving Dad take a road trip to Melbourne to rediscover Sarah’s story from her past, and it is in this journey into Sarah’s past and her beginnings as a Roller Derby participant that Fred finds healing and restoration and a possible climb out of the depths of her grief. The irony of her Derby name – ‘Fred or Dead’, is not meant to be funny, but instead is a deeply moving reminder of the tragedy in Fred’s life.

This story is powerful on many levels. There is the fascinating insight into the Roller Derby culture, but also the incredibly raw revelation of grief for a young girl and her father. This book is not easy to read because of its emotional rawness. But there is love amidst the tears, and wisdom (despite the pain of grief) in coming to Melbourne to learn about the mother who will no longer be able to speak of her own history. I know that this book will be incredibly hard to read for the sensitive reader or the one who has known their own grief, but at the same time there are small moments of humour and incredible sensitivity in peeling back the layers of a young girl’s grief response. The reality of a first period without your mother to support you through that, or of the constant reminders of loss when contemplating Roller skating or Roller Derby are potent messages of loss. This is a book that needs to be read and promoted, but as it is not fun or entertaining to be immersed in someone else’s tragedy, be cautious about who this is given to or who borrows this book. This incredible story will perhaps best be recommended for mature readers aged 12+. Caution:There may be tears as you read. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Grief, Roller Derby, family, identity.

Carolyn Hull