The Four Seasons of Lucy McKenzie (Kirsty Murray, A&U)

The latest book from Kirsty Murray is a ‘time-slip adventure’ in the tradition of books such as Ruth Park’s Playing Beatie Bow and Jackie French’s Somewhere around the Corner. Set in a realistic and recognisable country Australia, and slipping back in time to the first half of the 20th century, the reader is treated to vivid descriptions and characterisations throughout. The protaganist, Lucy, is sent to live with her Aunt Big in an old house in the country after her sister has an accident and her parents have to go away. Eleven-year-old Lucy doesn’t like living with Big at first, but one night she discovers she can slip through a mural painted on the dining room wall, and into another version of her world. There she meets a trio of young characters with whom she soon becomes great friends and has incredible adventures, learning about her country, her family and herself along the way. As might be expected, things come to a dramatic head, and old secrets are revealed. This is a lovely and heart-warming story for pre-teen girls, especially those who live a rich fantasy life.

Hannah Cartmel is an editor with Macmillan Education and co-founder of the Rag and Bone Man Press

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Category: Reviews