We didn't think it through by Gary Lonesborough

Jamie is heading for trouble. He’s a ‘taken away’ Aboriginal kid living with his Aunty and Uncle. He’s angry that his parents have never sent for him, despite his mother’s promise, and he is drifting along with his mates, Dally and Lenny, not really caring about schoolwork, getting into drink and drug parties. Things really go wrong when one night, he and his mates decide to get revenge on the local bully, Mark Cassidy, by taking his precious car for a joy ride. A police chase leads to things really spinning out of control.

Lonesborough says he has based this story on his experiences working with Aboriginal youth in juvenile detention: ‘children locked up and isolated and told they are criminals’. Jamie’s experience of the ‘dark place’, is written with a hammer of words, like poetry without rhyme, hitting with power and emotion. We recognise the brutality and the fear, and also the boredom and mindlessness. Poetry becomes an outlet for Jamie for the feelings that have been pent up too long.

This book, coming after the award-winning ‘The boy from the Mish’, deals with similar issues of alcohol abuse, racism, police violence and aggression, but is much harder hitting. However there are lighter moments, of past memories, and kind people around Jamie, ready to support him; he just needs to step up and make the right decision.

The title ‘We didn’t think it through’ sums up Jamie’s path into trouble, and is a statement that’s easy to empathise with. Pick up the book and start to read and the story will grab you. It’s a great one for YA readers, and highly recommended for school libraries.

Themes: Aboriginal community, Youth, Juvenile justice, Prison, Social services, Alcohol abuse.

Helen Eddy