Her dad Hank, a renovating fanatic, buys a run-down theatre in Tasmania, so they leave their home in Ipswich. Her mum, a therapist with her own radio program, is initially not thrilled with the idea.
Cora sees an opportunity to renovate herself in a place with new people. No more tripping over words when she speaks. Cora 2.0 will be born.
The theatre they find, has been neglected for years
and is unlivable. But Hank is excited with this new venture and its unlimited
possibilities.
Dressing Room One becomes Cora’s, and her sister Bekah’s bedroom.
Hank works diligently day after day, and well into the night on repairs and renovations.
Mum broadcasts her program from the back of their Comby
van.
Caroline Creek theatre is famous for the birth of a stunning career; that of Jazz legend, Clair de Lune. Mystery surrounds what became of her.
Cora discovers Clair’s biography, and a letter written by her falls from a drawer. It speaks of loneliness and being invisible.
Cora
relates to it so completely that she begins to write letters to Clair about her
personal feelings, and keeps them in the book, hidden between her bed slats.
Making friends is hard. Even for the emerging new
Cora, who spends her time hidden in the library. Until she meets the warm,
friendly, and lovable Arlo, who becomes her secret crush. Elle who lives at the
end of the street, is drawn to Cora due to similarities in character. A friendship
is quickly formed between the two girls.
It seems everyone keeps secrets – even Elle. So does the theatre. It has rooms full of clothing used long ago by unknown people and sounds in the night. Dark places and narrow stairs.
Maud, an elderly woman, angry and uncontrollable, hates the people who have bought the theatre. She keeps appearing and threatening Cora, without reason.
Mum is cranky all the time and Cora believes her
family is breaking apart, as she keeps disappearing. Bekah has dropped the idea
of Uni and has started a relationship with her new
interest, Luella.
Too many things are left unexplained for Cora’s
peace of mind.
A Community Service Project is created. Elle and
Cora are amongst the chosen council members. This is the opening that Cora has longed for.
Just when life begins to shape itself for Cora 2.0, the old piping bursts, flooding the girls’ room. Cora discovers the book with the letters missing from their hiding place. They appear published in the local newspaper, causing revelations and a response no one expects.
Brilliant in every way, Zanni Louise has created another amazing novel with a chain of personal stories and happenings about reinvention, loneliness, friendship, and family being the twine that binds things together.
Title: Cora Seen and Heard
Author: Zanni Louise
Publisher: Walker Books, $ 17.99
Publication Date: 1 May 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760657666
For ages: 10+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
