Kate Gordon, Spirals & Stars, Wombat Books, September 2024, 227 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761111709
Kate Gordon has a well-earned reputation for writing excellent middle grade novels which tackle issues of growing up, families, friendships and mental health problems in an engaging, entertaining way. In this latest novel set in 1993 (with lots of cultural references along the way), eleven-year-old Beth is about to start sixth grade but the spirals in her mind are never far away. They are often triggered by her own negative thoughts and the throw-away, heartless comments of school peers.
When she turns up for the first day of term, Beth is shocked to find her best friend Ashlee sitting with the ‘in’ girls and ignoring her completely. However, the new student, Jools, latches on to Beth and decides that Beth is her new best friend. Jools is loud, extroverted and individualistic. She doesn’t care what other students think, she gravitates to outsiders, and she decides to start a Nerd Club, which includes Beth. She shows Beth that it is more important to be true to yourself than to try to conform to what ‘mean’ girls think.
As the story progresses, the author gradually reveals the family tragedy that has coloured Beth’s outlook, anxiety and guilt, resulting in a compulsion to wash her hands often and need everything to be clean. It also turned her mother into a seemingly unfeeling, cold parent with exceptionally high expectations of her daughter. It is her Dad who brings laughter and happiness into the family home. As Beth slowly starts to realise that Jools and the other Nerd Club members really do like her, she starts to stand up for herself and tell those around her what she is wrestling with. With medical help for herself and her Mum, they finally begin to talk to each other. In addition, a Nerd Club presentation at assembly brings the bullying to the fore and this results in a reconciliation with Ashlee. The book ends on a note of hope.
The author manages to tackle these serious issues while never bogging the story down. The tone remains upbeat and optimistic while never downplaying what the characters are dealing with. This is important subject matter for young readers to understand but they will also enjoy the story at the same time.
Reviewed by Lynne Babbage
