Twelve-year-old Freya must farewell her home in Eltham.
Dad has taken a job in Broome and Mum has accepted a manager’s job in a café in Abbotsford, at the base of their apartment block.
Their new home is on the eleventh floor opposite Little Audrey, the Skipping Girl Vinegar sign.
And Freya has a fear of lifts!
The apartment is dreary and infested with mice. This
problem introduces Ashok, the handyman/caretaker of the building, who plays an
important role later in the story.
On her arrival, Freya loses her basketball which belonged to her father and signed by a famous player, to someone who challenged her to play.
An excellent player, Freya looks forward to joining her new school’s basketball team.
But the school plays netball.
As a new girl, she is not welcomed, but she tries
to adjust to her circumstances with optimism and kindness.
A new tournament for rep players is announced. The coach is looking to choose a team. Val is the best player and Freya’s fiercest competitor. She is not making any allowances for the new girl.
Adjusting and coming to terms with change is difficult for Freya. Creating friendships seems an impossibility. All she wants is to fit in; to experience a sense of belonging.
It turns out that things are not what they initially seem to be, as Freya comes to the realization that every place has its sweet and sour spots.
This outstanding verse novel is composed of many
interesting issues, including different family structures, how family is
defined, making choices, lessons learnt, and overcoming fears.
Using as backdrop the iconic Skipping Girl sign, and the eye-catching positioning of text to accentuate critical sections, this brilliantly constructed story line, excellent characters, and backstories, guarantee riveting reading.
Title: Sunshine on Vinegar Street
Author: Karen Comer
Publisher:Allen&Unwin, $ 17.99
Publication Date: 30 May 2024
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761180132
For ages: 8 – 12
Type: Verse Novel