THE KINDNESS PROJECT BY DEBORAH ABELA, PUBLISHED BY PUFFIN BOOKS

Nicolette is a quiet, shy girl who has trouble making friends. She spends her school days avoiding the bully DJ, side-stepping the mean, popular girl, Layla and hiding in the library at lunchtime. Her best friend is her Nanna who she visits every afternoon at her nursing home. Together they do jigsaw puzzles and tell stories. Nicolette’s mum is very busy and never comes to visit Nanna after a falling out. Nanna calls her new home Alcatraz.

Nicolette loves her teacher Ms Skye and is always keen to do the best she can with the projects she sets the class. When she introduces a new task called the Kindness Project Nicolette is excited. This changes quickly when Ms Skye sorts the class into groups. Nicolette can’t believe it when she is put with DJ, Layla and the new kid, Leaf. How are they going to collaborate when they don’t get on?

Her life gets even more stressful when she is banned from visiting her beloved grandmother. The seemingly ‘good idea at the time’ escape from Alcatraz with Nanna for a day by the sea went terribly wrong. Nicolette is devastated and is constantly worried about her. Concentrating on thinking up a theme for their project and with the deadline looming, the four disparate students discover that not all people are as they seem.

Deborah Abela has given readers a story that could be called - how to read below the surface of personalities and that communication is so important in relationships. This verse novel, seen through Nicolette’s eyes is beautifully structured with strong characters, each of whom have something they struggle with and must overcome. DJ, Layla, Leaf and Nicolette are all people that readers have come across at school or their neighbourhoods and books like this are a great way to let them know they are not alone.

Readers who enjoyed The Riding Gallery by Sally Murphy, Sunshine on Vinegar Street by Karen Comer or Little Wave by Pip Harry will love this new addition to the genre.

For Ages: 8+ years

Number of Pages: 336

Published: May 2024 Puffin Books

Themes: Friendship, dementia, teamwork, anxiety

Purchase here: https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/the-kindness-project-by-deborah-abela-9781761340185