Audrey Goes to Town

Christine Harris (author)

Ann James (illus)

Little Hare Books, 2008: 183pp

ISBN: 9781921272677

Genres: adventure, realistic fiction

Issues: family, friendship, identity, rural Australia

Audrey is looking forward to spending some time in town. Normally she and her family live well out in the country at the end of a dirt road. Even a small town like Beltana seems exciting - so many new things to see, people to meet.

While her father and older brother are out hunting dingoes for the government bounty fee, Audrey, her mother and younger brother must stay with Mrs Paterson. When Audrey's mum is taken to hospital in an emergency, Audrey finds herself being ruled by a very strict older lady who doesn't seem to like children. Especially not one who owns an imaginary camel. Audrey begins to realise that loneliness isn't to do with where you live but your state of mind. Thankfully Audrey has a great capacity for friendship - and mischievous.

Christine Harris has created a delightfully independent and eccentric character in the cheeky Audrey. Younger readers will delight in her cockeyed interpretation of adult rules and cheer her on as she struggles to find the good points of sour old Mrs Paterson. The tricks and adventures are very believable. Without great drama or over-the-top villains, Audrey Goes to Town is an appealing narrative that will leave readers contented and looking for more. Fun, heart-warming and with a happy ending, the episodic chapters in Audrey Goes to Town make this good to read aloud.