Bushfire Book

I’ve just received two great new reviews from a wonderful newzine called Good Gabble (www.goodgabble.blogspot.com).  There are lots of interesting things to read and a wonderful journey around Australia to share.  Jennifer Deaves and her daughter Samantha Lo wrote them.  I have abbreviated them and you can see the full reviews on the Good Gabble blog.

Jennifer wrote:

Bushfire by Elizabeth Mellor, a reflection of loss, a celebration of life and a book that heals. Having first-hand experience of the terror of a bushfire in 2002, Elizabeth writes with truth and detail that takes the reader within the life of Ruby, her family and their hardship and joys…  (To read more, click on the link) 

… Ruby and her parents, along with Gypsy, soon find themselves amongst others within the community in a camp set up at the local cricket ground. It is here the reader meets the many different characters of the town and is taken on a journey of the affects that the devastation of fire can have on different people. With the use of descriptive detail and emotional statements Elizabeth takes the reader on a journey of heartache and loss, fear and pain but also of joy and elation, mateship and unity. She shows the true meaning of friendship and of community as all work together to help each other get through a time of hardship…

The ending of Bushfire is one that leaves the reader feeling an immense loss but also the joy of the celebration of survival and the rebirth of nature…  Finally there were the celebrations. Celebrations of a new life, new friends, new beginnings.

Elizabeth Mellor has done a wonderful job with Bushfire. She has used her life experience combined with her experiences as a qualified social worker and counsellor to weave magic into a topic that is often difficult to approach and explain to children…  Bushfire takes children through the steps of a fire plan, prevention and defense, in a non threatening manner. It is a book that should be read in all classrooms promoting a program of awareness and opening discussions with adults on how to cope in a fire,before it happens and it is too late. Although Ruby and her family experience a bushfire, this book could be used to approach the topic of any sort of fire within any community.

Elizabeth Mellor has written and provides, as downloads, a parent guide and teachers guide. Both are available free of charge at www.bushfirebook.com.au. Both guides are set out in chapter by chapter format making them easy to follow and use. The teachers guide includes questions and worksheets to be used in conjunction with the book, a valuable resource in any classroom or for the homeschooling family. Also
available on the same site is bushfire information containing helpful websites and organisation to contact. The book and guides provide a very useful, informative resource that is well thought out and compliment each other with great success.

And, Samantha Lo, who’s 16,  wrote the following:

 Bushfire is an inspiring book about a girl named Ruby and her beloved dog Gypsy, who get caught in life threatening fires. Through the book you follow Rudy on her emotional journey. You are with Ruby through the loss of her best friend, the adventure of making new friends and through the building of a new life…

I found this book enlightening, warming and heartfelt. Once I had finished reading I felt refreshed and close to Ruby. The book has made me more fire aware and I now feel ready if the time ever arises that I’m stuck in a fire. I found the book to lag in some places, but it was easy to pick up again as I was dying to find out what happened in the end.

Elizabeth Mellor has done a wonderful job at writing a touching book. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inspiring read of the journey of life after tragedy.