Where in the World

Simon French (author)

Little Hare Books, Australia: 2002; 191pp

ISBN: 1877003034

Note: extension concepts

Genre: realistic fiction

Issues: change, family, relationships, friendship, giftedness, identity

Shortlisted for the CBCA Awards, Younger Reader, 2003.

Ari and his mother, Ilona, moved to Australia from Germany. Ari is still only a child and he finds being so very far away from his beloved Opa, grandfather, quite heart-wrenching.

There is more to it than that, however. Ari has a special talent for music, specifically the violin. In Germany, Ari's violin playing accepted by all around him as being as natural as breathing as his grandfather, who had worked in many orchestras during his professional life, gently taught him how to refine his skills.

In Australia, however, Ari is afraid of appearing different - or more different than he already is, with his accent and second language. In Australia Ari feels that his extraordinary gift for music is more of a burden than a blessing. There are also all the other things going on his life: learning to accept his mother's need to make a new life for herself after the death of her first husband, getting to know his new stepfather, fitting in to his new school.

This is very much a book about a sensitive, gifted child and his responses to the changes in his world. What is particularly remarkable is that Simon French's adult characters are not diminished to two-dimensional authority figures. Instead they are sensible, loving people, very much aware of the emotional upheaval that Ari is undergoing. They help him deal with his natural responses and occasional over-reactions by being gentle but firm, and open with their own experiences. Together they help an extremely observant and thoughtful child learn to accept the power and responsibility of his gift, and, more importantly, take joy and pride in it.

The story is told by Ari but the author manipulates the structure of the narration in such a way that it avoids the often superficial or self-centred tone of the usual journal or diary style. Instead, Ari tells his story through memories, phone conversations with his grandfather, emails, and conversations. The result is a subtle, moving novel that is very readable.

Highly recommended.