A gently funny yet powerful coming-of-age middle grade novel about surviving the odds, unlikely friendships and the magical music of Elvis.
It’s not eggsactly easy being Jimmy Baxter ’cause:
- The real Jimmy’s hiding inside
- Ned Kelly’s giving him the evil eye
- Mum’s stopped going to work and stays in bed
- There’s no eggs in the fridge – or anything else
AND there’s new jobs, bad-at-school brains and a whole lot of trouble called Duke.
But then… there’s Mac.
This delightful novel takes us on a poignant journey through the eyes of Jimmy, a year-sixer who’s having to grow up faster than a kid should. Early on in the novel, it becomes clear that what Jimmy originally thought was going to be a holiday, just him and his mum, is in fact nothing of the sort. What’s really happening is an escape from Jimmy’s violent dad, which means that Jimmy’s got to ditch the name Branthwaite and learn how to be Jimmy Baxter – at a brand-new school, no less.
Being Jimmy Baxter is Fiona Lloyd’s debut middle-grade novel, and what an entrance! Lloyd originally hails from England but has been settled in Australia for years; her warts-and-all depiction of small-town 90s Australia is spot-on, and I adored the glossary of quirky Aussie terms at the back of the book.
Jimmy has to be one of the most lovable protagonists I’ve read in a long time – kids’ fiction or otherwise. My heart burst for this kid. His grit, determination, imagination and love for his mother never waver, even in the face of hardship. Jimmy’s ability to find joy and remain positive in the face of adversity is an inspirational testament to the human spirit.
Being Jimmy Baxter covers some hefty topics – Lloyd doesn’t sugarcoat the family violence that Jimmy and his mum face, or the mental health issues that Jimmy’s mum deals with after the fallout. But it’s pitched perfectly for young readers, and the book’s resolution offers a message of hope and encouragement: with a bit of community support, a brighter future is always possible.
For kids with lived experience of family violence or parental mental health issues, this book will have a powerful resonance. It’s full of validation and much-needed representation. For kids who haven’t experienced the kind of hardships that Jimmy faces, this story will generate understanding and compassion that will stay with readers long after its pages have ended.
Being Jimmy Baxter is a hopeful, big-hearted book all about community, friendship and the resilience of kids. I didn’t want it to end – can we get a sequel and a screen adaptation, please? Anyone would benefit from reading it. I can’t recommend it highly enough for readers aged 10 and beyond.
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