WHEN THE GROUND IS HARD BY MALLA NUNN

Adele Joubert is looking forward to re-joining the cool girls at her school, Keziah Christian Academy in Swaziland. She’s worked hard to be in with Delia, the most popular girl, and enjoys the prestige this friendship brings. Unfortunately for Adele, this is all about to change. She is late for the school bus and discovers Delia has a new friend, a girl who is richer and has parents who own the newest and most exclusive shop in town. Adele is left choosing between sitting next to a boy who has wandering hands or Lottie Diamond whose reputation for swearing and fighting make her the school pariah. She keenly feels the humiliation and betrayal of Delia’s actions. It’s going to be a very long term at boarding school.

Adele and Lottie are allocated a haunted room; a dusty abandoned place and are forced to get along. Negotiating the twists and turns of school politics and racial hierarchies is a constant battle. There are so many rules, both written and unwritten that must be endured, no matter how unreasonable or unfair.

Adele and Lottie start to read Jane Eyre together and through their love of books and shared lower status, a slow bond starts to form. After managing to help save the school from a bush fire, the girls then need to find a missing fellow student. Tragically he has died and while waiting for his body to be collected, the girls and their American missionary principal are confronted by Bosman, the meanest and most violent man in the district.

The girls now become outcasts at the school as it is rumoured the devil and ghosts must have helped them find the boy and survive the fire. A letter Adele writes to her mother as a form of confession and release but never intends to send, mistakenly gets posted. She fears the letter’s contents will show her mother that the careful front she has built up to protect herself is just a series of lies. Adele waits for her mother’s return letter and is surprised when she turns up in person. It is just what she needed, comfort and answers about her mother’s past.

Malla Nunn’s novel is an emotional journey through prejudice and relationships. Adele’s inner voice that walks her through her difficulties is honest and refreshing. She starts the story as one of many; a school girl who tries to conform to both social and peer pressures. She finishes as a confident, loved and loyal friend and daughter, comfortable with her decisions and new standing.

For Ages: 12-18 years

Number of Pages: 257 pages in paperback

Published: June 2019

Themes: Prejudice, friendship, family and loyalty

Rating: 4/5