Fans of Jackie French will be thrilled that she is back with another historical fiction book this month. The Ghost of Howlers Beach is the first instalment in the Butter O’Bryan Mysteries a brand-new adventure series aimed at 10+ readers.
Butter O’Bryan is 12 years old and the grandson of one of Australia’s most successful Jam Kings. He lives with his father and three aunts and wants for very little – aside from the company of other children.
It’s school holidays and Butter is bored and looking for adventure. He’s very lonely and his mother’s death from polio has created a huge emptiness in his life. When he spots three children playing cricket on nearby Howler’s Beach, he’s keen to join in their game. However, as soon as Butter attempts to make friends they vanish – are they the ghosts that are rumoured to live on Howler’s Beach?
Unbeknownst to Butter these three children live in very different circumstances to him and when their uncle arrives at Butter’s door and promptly collapses, he suspects that their lives must be a constant struggle. They are hungry, poor and locked out of an education.
Butter is determined to help them and his persistence pays off, but when he does discover why they are hiding and terrified of being discovered he is sworn to secrecy. He struggles to find a way to make a real difference to the lives of these children and not break their trust.
Set in 1932, during The Great Depression in NSW Australia, the story of Butter, Olive, Gil and Tish, gives readers an insight into the extreme conditions that families had to cope with. Facing poverty, discrimination, the after effects of the war and the widespread loss of many family members.
As in her most recent historical fiction book, The Pirate Boy of Sydney Town, Jackie French has extensively researched the era. There are detailed author notes at the back of the book that provide information about The Great Depression, the Susso, unemployment and the way that people made ends meet – including a series of 1930s recipes for readers to attempt. Importantly, French also looks at Indigenous dispossession. Teachers notes are also available here.
The Ghost of Howler’s Beach explores themes around Australian history, racism, poverty, family and community, friendship, privilege and secrets. It’s also a thrilling and intriguing mystery story, where there is danger and uncertainty. The story is compelling and will excite those who love solving a puzzle.
A wonderful by-product is the historical facts children will pick up along the way. The result may be a barrage of questions, so I would highly recommend taking a look at the notes so you’ll be prepared – you might contemplate reading this together or reading it yourself too.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can assure you I am well beyond the recommended 10+ years!
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