Your Preview Verdict: Tilda by Sue Whiting

I don’t know where to start! The book itself is mainly about how Tilda never gave up hope about her dad coming back from the Boer war. The book is so amazing, when it was time to go, I couldn’t take my eyes off it! The story is so real but not real at the same time. Tilda was amazingly good at making readers feel like they were part of the story. This was a good thing because the readers know how it felt to Tilda. Naomi, aged 9, QLD, 5 Stars

I really loved how it was full of drama with lots of historical details and facts. The author kept me wanting to read what Tilda was up to. I liked learning new words like “boyo” that people used to use and she always left me eager to see what would happen next in each chapter. Phoebe, aged 9, NSW, 5 Stars

Tilda is a great story full of friends, family, sad moments and the reality of life. If you love books that deal with the reality of life or books where not everything turns out for the main character then this might be what you are looking for. The wording in Tilda makes you feel like you are somehow part of the story. You feel like the characters were real and when something eventful happens to a character you feel excited, happy or sad for them. Tilda deals with lots of different problems and nothing is always perfect for her and that’s what makes you want to keep reading this fabulous book. If you like books set in orphanages and cities then this is most likely an awesome book for you. All the characters are important in their own way. Tilda isn’t a very long book and feels very short if you enjoy reading it. Tilda is an awesome book which will be adored and loved by many people. Amelia, aged 9, QLD, 5 Stars

Tilda is a delightful story. I was the child who grew up loving books by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Tilda has shades of her stories, especially A Little Princess, yet it is pure Aussie, with a feisty little heroine. It’s a story of friendship, hope and resilience. Set in South Australia, Tilda has a big heart, which she needs when she suddenly finds herself left in the Brushwood Convent and Home for Girls, apparently now an orphan, which she absolutely refuses to accept! Highly recommended for your young bookworm. Nell, NSW, 5 Stars

Tilda’s Papa has gone to war and left her in Brushwood Home for Girls where she is treated badly by Sister Agatha, who is mean and rude. She hates Tilda and tries to make her say her Papa abandoned her and is not coming back for her. Tilda won’t say it so Sister Agatha punishes her. The book is set in Adelaide in the 1900s. It’s interesting that it was set so long ago because it’s so different to life now, with not having cars, the fashion, and how the girls are in Brushwood then sent to work when they’re 13. Tilda’s best friend is Annie who is very sick and has problems breathing and with her chest, and Tilda is a good friend to her and the other girls in Brushwood. I like the use of similes. It made the story easy to imagine in my head. The book was really exciting! I wanted to know what happened next, and when it ends you’re like “I need a part two”. Everyone should read this book because it shows how brave, independent, and strong girls are and that you can’t give up on what you know is the truth. Elsa, aged 10, QLD, 5 Stars

I loved reading Tilda! I like Matilda because she is such a mischievous, cheeky character, but she is also brave and stands up for herself and her friend Annie. It was so engaging, and a really well-written book. My favourite part is what happens to Matilda’s friends, Doris and Molly because it was really heart-warming and happy! Ava, aged 10, VIC, 4.5 Stars

In my opinion, Tilda, by Sue Whiting, is probably one of the best examples of an unpredictable plot twist with a character who is the definition of determined. Tilda is a young girl in an orphanage in Norwood, South Australia, left there by her father at ‘two months shy’ of her eleventh birthday because he enlists himself in the South Australian Citizen Bushmen Contingent to get money for a living. Tilda is tenacious and refuses to believe that her father is dead when the head nun at the orphanage keeps on stating it. As a result of Tilda’s resilience, she suffers at the hands of the nun, however, her grit never falters and she gets to the bottom of a deep mystery. This book would definitely please those who prize mystery novels and ones involving a tragic story. J.T, aged 13, ACT, 4 Stars

Tilda by Sue Whiting is a fascinating story that took us on an emotional literary journey highlighting hope, friendship and never giving up. There were twists and turns that left us wondering and intrigued while characters portrayed and created help evoke the true meaning behind this story. Through adventures, smiles, love, tears and so much more it was stand-out artistry that we enjoyed reading together and it captivated our hearts. Kylie, QLD, 4 Stars

Tilda was a beautifully written, sad story of neglect, abuse of power and bitterness, with a glimmer of hope and beautiful friendships. I loved Tilda, her pluck and resilience through her unfair treatment. Loved the ending. Was a fabulous read. I will recommend it to young lovers of history. Gail, NSW, 4 Stars

I enjoyed the book from a teachers perspective. The story centres around Tilda, a young girl who is temporarily sent to an orphanage while her father goes to war. Her mother features in the story by way of a voice in Tilda’s head, willing her to stay strong and endure the wrath of one particularly awful Nun, Sister Agatha. It is a story of resilience, empathy, friendship and strength aimed at upper primary/early secondary students. Kasey, QLD, 4 Stars

Meet Matilda “Tilda” Moss: part Sara Crewe, part Jo Marsh. In 1900, Tilda’s widower father leaves her in the care of the nuns at Brushwood Convent and Orphanage for Girls while he fights the Boers in South Africa. “It will only be for a short while,” he promises. But when a year passes without a written word from her father, Tilda’s stoicism and confidence begin to wane. And there begins her story of lies, loss and the search to put her life back together. Set in Adelaide while it is being dressed up for the royal visit, Tilda, is for lovers of The Little Princess, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables and anyone in need of a girl with the gift of fierce determination. Rose, VIC, 4 Stars

Thank you to Better Reading for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Tilda by Sue Whiting was a good book to read. It’s about a girl called Matilda Moss who goes to live at Brushwood Convent and Orphanage for Girls in Norwood South Australia in 1900 when she was almost 11 years old. She wasn’t an orphan but her Dad left her there and went to fight in the Boer War and her Mum died from Influenza when she was 3 so she had nowhere else to go. Living in the Orphanage is hard, some of the Nuns are nice but others are really mean. One of the really mean Nuns tells Tilda that her Dad isn’t coming back for her and then she gets sent away from the Orphanage to work. Alyssa, aged 10, SA, 4 Stars

A cute read, I loved it. Reminded me so much of A Little Princess. Tilda was so loving, with a big heart and lots of faith, trust and hope in her Dad. I would recommend others read this story. Beth, aged 12, TAS, 4 Stars

I really enjoyed Sue Whiting’s Tilda, even though it is a little different to my usual reading. Matilda is strong and brave but my favourite character was Annie because she was loyal, courageous and such a good friend. The storyline was dramatic and they had a hard life compared to our modern society. There were lots of cliffhangers at the end of each chapter which kept me reading! Thanks to Better Reading for the opportunity to read and review Tilda. Imogen, aged 14, VIC, 4 Stars

Tilda was an enjoyable read and a story that was reflective of the time. Tilda showed resilience and retained that strong belief in her father as she faced adversity and challenges from authorities and their misplaced belief system. A great quick read. Carrie-Anne, NSW, 4 Stars

I liked this book. It looked long but once I picked it up I really couldn’t stop reading it. A good book to read during quiet reading time at school. Alexis, aged 12, SA, 4 Stars

Tilda goes to Brushwood Convent and Orphanage for Girls after a family tragedy. There is mystery and confusion where her papa is. She is alone and bullied by a person who should care for her. She has a great friend, Annie, and this makes her time less hard. I didn’t know what life was like back then and even though it made me sad, I was interested in learning about life back then in an orphanage. I liked that even though Tilda’s life was very hard she never gave up. I liked that even though there were some very sad parts in this book, I still liked it. Kahana, aged 11, QLD, 3 Stars

Buy a copy of Tilda here.