SILVER LININGS BY KATRINA NANNESTAD, PUBLISHED BY HARPER COLLINS AUSTRALIA
Nettie Sweeny lives on a dairy farm with her dad and three sisters. Her Aunt Edith, who looks after the household, is a cranky, no-nonsense old bat who is obsessed with peas. Nettie has a good life, filled with animals, family and friends, but she is missing something very important – a mother. Her own died when she was born, and she feels a longing for something she has only ever read about in books.
When her father remarries, life changes for the better. The house is filled with laughter, fewer rules and no disapproving frowns. Aunt Edith returns to her own home and the Sweeny family becomes complete with the arrival of baby Billy.
When tragedy strikes, everyone’s world becomes a small place where they need to tip-toe around the huge hole in their lives. Grief becomes a constant burden that creates dark, dark clouds that threaten to break them all. Nettie comes up with a plan to try and fix the tragic situation. Will it work?
Katrina Nannestad has created an incredible picture of a simpler time in our history. It’s the early 1950s and Nettie’s world is filled with imagination, elaborate games and creative play. When a harsher reality seeps into her idyllic life, she must try to help her broken family. Silver Linings, (both the title and the major theme of the novel), can be found in every situation if you look hard enough. The narration by young Nettie is so delightful; she is the voice of innocence with a strong belief in right and wrong, even though she sometimes struggles choosing the right path to follow.
This gentle story about the balance of happiness and grief in all our lives is an uplifting story. Those who enjoyed books such as Runt by Craig Silvey or Picasso and the Greatest Show on Earth by Anna Fienberg will love it.
For Ages: 11 -13 years
Number of Pages: 304
Published: November 2023
Themes: Family, grief and resilience
Purchase here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/silver-linings-katrina-nannestad/book/9780733342257.html