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emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Warm.
Simple, sweet, free verse poetry across 3 characters.
Not for primary students: sex.
Simple, sweet, free verse poetry across 3 characters.
Not for primary students: sex.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Car accident
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a fast paced read that on the whole I enjoyed. The Simple Gift is comprised of many very short chapters from three POVs: sixteen-year-old Billy, Old Bill and Caitlin, taking place over no more than three months I’d say. It starts with Billy running away from an abusive home life where he arrives in the small Australian town of Bendarat, spending time reading at the local library and eating leftovers at the McDonald’s. Billy soon finds friendship with the fellow homeless man Old Bill who’s harbouring secrets and past shame and a romance begins to blossom with Caitlin who works at the McDonald’s. There isn’t that much big that happens but Herrick’s tale is focused on the small things and there’s lots of messages and takeaways from the book. A lot are to do with how we view ourselves and others, what really matters and have value in life (hint: money ain’t all that), and more too.
This wasn’t a favour read but I’d still recommend it, it’s got good messages and on the whole was a decent book. I listened to this as an audiobook but maybe I’d have preferred to have read it physically - possibly I’ll do that if I give it a re-read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Grief
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I taught this book for a year 8 poetry class and came to know it well. The characters and plot were well-written with the verse. The poems were simple and effective
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Grief