I'm doing a great deal of armchair travelling at the moment, thanks to the immersive power of fiction. My latest read, the excellent 'When the Mountains Roared' by Jess Butterworth (author of the equally excellent 'Running on the Roof of the World') took me all the way to Australia and on to India in a riveting story of bravery and adventure.
Twelve year old Ruby, a keen photographer, is living in Australia with her dad, grandmother and Polly the dog, when life as she knows it is once again uprooted. Dad announces that they are moving to India where they will run a hotel, leaving their home, friends and memories of Polly's mother, who has recently passed away, behind. They arrive in India, complete with baggage of the suitcase, emotional and furry variety (I will leave you to read to discover what this means...) and are instantly swept away into the sensory tidal wave of stunning sights, sounds and smells that India has to offer.
As with any beautiful setting there is often some form of malaise simmering below. Much of children's fiction has a strong environmental theme at the moment and 'When the Mountains Roared' is no exception. Jess Butterworth draws attention to the impact of human behaviour on wildlife habitats, from the natural landscapes lost to intensive farming to the everyday evils of plastic waste and human pollution. The dark underworld of poaching is also drawn upon; this terrible practice is cleverly used to introduce young readers to consider the link often found between wealth, fame and corrupt behaviour.
Amidst the shock of human senselessness and disconnect from the natural world,strong emphasis is also placed on how the actions of individuals can have a hugely positive impact on our planet. Brave Ruby's natural impulse to conserve, save and protect is the saving grace in the face of so much upsetting human greed and destruction. Over the course of the story she rescues an baby kangaroo and a leopard cub, both orphaned by the careless actions of people. Characters like Praveen, a friend Ruby makes in India, demonstrate similar tenderness and awareness and are clearly a force for good.
It is clear that Ruby has inherited such traits from her grandmother. Whilst Ruby's grieving dad often feels distant and at times disconcerting, Grandma provides Ruby with the steady love and security that, as a grieving 12 year old girl, she desperately needs. The portrayal of their relationship is a touching example of intergenerational affection and co-operation, a lesson we could all learn from at the moment.
'When the Mountains Roared' is a rich feast of a text. I would recommend this book for ages 9 -13, as Jess Butterworth incorporates so many stimulating and provocative messages and ideas to digest and discuss at home and at school. I'm so looking forward to tucking into Jess's latest book 'Where the Wilderness Lives' which was published in March this year.
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