Staff review - Where there's smoke by John Heffernan

This latest book from Australian author and farmer John Heffernan was partly inspired by the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009. The story centres on a boy called Luke, who lives with his mum in a town called Edenville. They’re relative newcomers to the town but have made friends, put down roots and love the area. It’s been a hot, dry summer and the bush around the town is tinder dry. A family friend of Luke’s, Tiny Cobb is convinced that things are looking bad, but the adults in town have become complacent – they’ve always been fine in bushfire season. Why should this year be any different? But it is different, and as we read on we learn just how bad it’s going to be. An interesting read for upper junior / teenage readers, I found the book very easy to read. There was a subplot that I found a little frustrating – it was left unresolved and I felt it could almost have been left out of the story altogether, but the actual description of the fire and the devastation it causes was compelling. A must read for an appreciation of the horror of bushfires and the importance of bushfire awareness and preparation.

What now?

• Add your thoughts about in the comments below.
• Go to the catalogue and reserve it.
• Review a book yourself.