Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler with Jy Farrar (text) and Samantha Campbell (illustrator), Jy goes for Gold (Kimberley Kickers #1), HarperCollins Publishers, September 2024, 192 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781460739112
This is the first in an inspirational series of ‘Kimberley Kickers’ books about footballers from the far north. The story is narrated by Jy Farrar who was born and riased in Halls Creek in Western Australia. He is a descendant of the Bunuba, Jaru and Kija nations. He was recruited by Gold Coast Suns at pick 60 in the 2019 AFL draft and has, so far, played 34 games for the senior men’s team. He has proven to be an articulate spokesperson for the communities of the far north where young boys and girls are often prodigiously talented at footy and ambitious to contribute to AFL history.
The fast paced text is eye-catching with varying styles of font and sizes of words, almost comic-like as the text wraps around the grey-tone illustrations of Jy catching his first goanna, learning about country from his elders, and playing games of football where he shows off his skills and hopes to be noticed. There is a lot of teasing and fun among the children of Halls Creek, some learning about the cruel and heartless treatment of Aboriginal people last century and well into this century, and a lot of running and swimming as well as getting an education at boarding school. When he is picked in the national draft he is both excited and anxious, but once his name comes up Jy’s motivation runs deep. You can’t help but wish him well – and want to go and watch him play the game he loves.
Recommended for boys and girls from 10 to 14, especially the ones who might think that sporty people don’t read books. This is a lively one for lively kids.
Reviewed by Kevin Brophy
