Title: Matty Forever
Author: Elizabeth Fensham
Publisher: University of Queensland Press, $14.95 RRP
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780702237027
For ages: 7+
Type: Novel
About: On Bill’s first day at his new house, he spots someone a little unusual. A pirate. The next day, he spots this person again, only this time as a fairy. Who is this mysterious person?
Mat is an eight-and-a-half-year-old girl, with a happily crazy family, who lives life to the beat of her own drum.
Bill and Mat soon become best friends and are inseparable. Until a new girl, Isabelle, comes along. Isabelle is rich and spoilt and, because of her jealousy, Bill must ignore Mat and spend all his time at his new friend’s house. They swim, watch television and play video games, but it just isn’t the same as it is with Mat. All these things actually make life kind of lonely.
When Bill spills Mat’s biggest secret to Isabelle, the consequences are terrible and he must learn how to make things right.
Matty Forever is a story about friendships, families and loyalty. Some heavy topics are covered, with Bill’s father in jail and some hints of domestic violence. The various friendships in the book, between Bill and Mat, Bill and Isabelle, and Bill’s mother with Mat’s parents, are laden with messages about the connections we have with others.
Money versus poverty is another theme covered, with Bill learning the valuable lesson that glamour and riches don’t equal happiness or fun.
This is an upbeat story, which handles some important topics with sensitivity amidst the oddity of Mat’s life, her infectiously lovable family and her friendship with Bill.
Coming in September 2010 - the next novel in the series, Bill Rules. Watch this space for our review!
This book is available online
