Eleven-year-old Jones Kirby has just moved to Sydney from her farm in country New South Wales. She’s missing her alpacas and wide-open paddocks and can’t get used to her family’s tiny city apartment. She’s also worried that her vision is blurry – she lost her eye to cancer as a toddler. Could it be another tumour?
Enrolling at her new school, Jones meets shy, awkward August Genting. He loves fun facts, the library and knitting as much as Jones loves rock climbing and being outdoors. Who would have thought they’d become fast friends?
At home, August’s parents are fighting. And for Jones, the news from the doctor is not good. To cheer themselves up, the pair hatch a brilliant plan: The August and Jones Must-See Bucket List. Together, this brave duo will set out to meet a rare monkey, run across the Harbour Bridge and even climb Australia’s highest mountain.
After all, with your best friend beside you, anything is possible!
Last year, BR Kids readers were introduced to award-winning author Pip Harry’s fresh and contemporary writing style in Are You There, Buddha? and it was very well-loved. Now, Harry returns with August and Jones, the story of two extraordinary kids who discover the life-changing power of friendship and teamwork.
Inspired by the friendship of two real-life children in Victoria, August and Jones is a heartfelt story about two unlikely friends. They’re complete opposites personality-wise yet they form the sweetest friendship and help each other through life’s trials and tribulations.
Alternating between two first-person viewpoints, you really get to know August and Jones in all their forms – quirks, illnesses and more. As an introvert, I thought I’d relate to August more, but I found myself resonating with both characters in different ways, especially when looking beyond the surface.
There are deeper themes of the rifts between families and the reality of illness, but Harry sensitively shows these through the window of friendship, resilience and the strength of character. Ultimately, this is a heartwarming story about the uncertainty of the future, but learning to make the most of life. I recommend it for children aged 9+.
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