Brocky's Bananagram

David Metzenthen (author)

Scholastic Press, Australia: 1993; 105pp

ISBN: 1865045780

Genres: realistic fiction

Issues: bullying, identity, racism, self-esteem, tolerance

Brocky's mate, Thornton (a.k.a. Thorny, Thornster) has some wacky ideas but writing a message in texta on one of the bananas being shipped out from his father's farm is one of the weirdest yet. When the ‘bananagram' brings a reply (by ordinary mail) things get even wilder.

Especially as the reply comes from one Laney Wong - no problem, except that Brocky's dad hates anything foreign, even if ‘foreign' was actually born in Australia. And then there's the issue of whether Brocky will do well enough in the school javelin competition to represent the school in Rockhampton - which just happens to be where his new penfriend lives. Full of typically teenage troubles - bullies, girls, self-esteem, school and parents - ‘Brocky's Bananagram' is a hilarious take on the lighter side of growing up.

David Metzenthen's work is always worth reading and this earlier work makes an interesting contrast to his more recent and darker writing. As always he interweaves narrative with subtext. Brocky's Bananagram is very much about tolerance and acceptance - the need to avoid judging people on appearance and reputation, rather than getting to know them as individuals. Brocky realises towards the end of the story that he's judged another student in almost exactly the same way that his father judged his penfriend. Thorny is more thoughtful about evaluating others, perhaps because he's a bit different himself. There's also a worthwhile message about allowing children to become the people they want to be, even if that's different to their parent's goals.

Very easy reading for teenagers, this should still be an enjoyable read.