Bleakboy and Hunter Stand Out in the Rain (Steven Herrick, UQP)

Jesse talks to a picture of Jesus on his wall to think things through; Hunter bullies younger kids at school. Jesse would do just about anything to help the starving children in Africa; Hunter’s idea of social justice is threatening violence against an offending party. Yet these two boys aren’t quite the polar opposites they think they are—and they are about to discover that it can take all kinds of approaches to reach your goal. Steven Herrick’s novel for readers aged eight to 11 years is a lovely exploration of social justice, family drama, bullying and how doing the right thing isn’t as easy, or as straightforward, as it seems. These characters and their charming, quirky families are a delight. The relationships are authentic, from Hunter’s unlikely friendship with an elderly man, to Jesse’s antagonistic and supportive bond with his sister, to the shaky friendship that begins to build between the two boys. Set against the wonderfully odd backdrop of an alternative school, this is a heartfelt story about friendship and family, doing the right thing and being yourself, which will be a hit with fans of Rebecca Stead and Morris Gleitzman. 

Meg Whelan works at the Hill of Content bookshop
in Melbourne

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews