Can you imagine leaving school and home at 14, and supporting yourself from then on? That's what it was like in New Zealand in the 1930s. I really liked this story about a boy who wanted to be a jockey, but had to find out what very hard work is first. The book is partly set in Napier, and near the end the 1931 earthquake strikes. It was interesting to discover just how well I could relate to the experience, and how good a job I thought the author did, writing about how it was. This made the book that bit better than it might otherwise have been.
Who would enjoy this? If you like reading about real life people in situations you can imagine yourself in, then this is for you.
Reviewed by Hamish
I think the author did a really good job describing Jack's new life and why he was so keen to succeed. It took me awhile to realise it but there is a big hint on the front cover of the book of something important and unexpected that happens in the story - but you have to have read it for the penny to drop.
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