TOP REVIEW FOR
'KY!'
By
JENNIFER DOUGLAS
G'day folks,
Well, one of my books has just received a great review from Literary Publicist, Jennifer Douglas. Jennifer reads all of my books, and specialises in self-published authors. Go, Jennifer!
REVIEW
If there
is one book you should encourage your child to read this year it should be KY!.
If there is one book every adult should read this year it is also KY!.
This beautifully written heart warming story of a young Muslim refugee and her
journey to find acceptance leaves you with hope in your heart. Hope that all
who read this story will find it in their hearts to accept others with open
arms. The strength within KY! has the ability to change the thoughts
and actions of the next generation of adults, creating a world of
compassion, understanding and cultural acceptance.
From the
back of the book:
Rida
Khalid is a Muslim refugee from Iran. She is bullied by two girls at school for
wearing a hijab ( Muslim headscarf), reading books and wearing glasses, and
seeks refuge in an old man’s garden after school. Rida meets an Asian girl at
school, Ky, who also loves books, and Rida soon dumps her for a gawky girl,
Carmen, who teaches her about fitting in. To be accepted, Rida removes her
hijab at school, but she must wear her headscarf whilst competing in the
inter-school sports. Her family will attend.
Rida
deliberately loses the first race because Carmen says “ Only nerds do well in
sports.” The sports master berates Rida for losing the race and points to Ky
who’s made an extraordinary effort to get out of hospital to watch her run. Ky
is battling leukaemia. Rida wins the next two races and gives her winning
ribbons to Ky for good luck.
Rida
enters the State Athletics Championships, but two athletics clubs lodge an
objection to her hijab. Rida is shocked when a retired Queens Counsel (QC)
represents her at the Equal Opportunity Commission. Who is he? Will Rida win
the case? Will she run in the State Championship? Will Ky beat leukaemia, and
who owns the garden that Rida used as a sanctuary?
The back
blurb of KY! does not do it justice. In only 95 pages Clancy
Tucker says so much. Within Rida he has created a young girl who is an
inspiration and a great role model for children worldwide. Finding yourself in
a new country would not be easy but Rida takes it all in her stride. From the
detention centre to integration into Australian society, Rida embraces life and
learning using Banjo Patterson’s The Man from Snowy River to drive her
forward.
KY! is a book that needs to
become part of every school curriculum. The topical issues covered are those
which are raw within society. With terrorism becoming the ‘norm’ within our
news, and the Muslim culture and their right to wear a hijab continuing to be
an issue of debate, KY! opens discussion in a non threatening and
heart warming manner. KY! by Clancy Tucker does not judge it
educates.
Then their are the other topics
within. When Rida finds Ky has leukaemia her compassion and care for her new
friend, who she really hardly knows, is heartwarming. Rida sets about to learn
as much about her friends disease as she can. She writes to her friend and
visits her in hospital whenever she can. She uses positive words to share love
and healing, creating a bond that will last a lifetime. Acceptance of who we
are and others as individuals runs through Rida, leaving a message that the
reader will carry with them throughout life.
Poetry
runs through my blood. For myself it is a little piece of Australian
history that often gets forgotten. Clancy Tucker has won my heart with
his use of The Man from Snowy River by Banjo Patterson. He has managed to
interweave it into a children’s novel with ease and grace. It touched my heart
to see a piece of bush poetry, a piece of Australian history, used in such a
beautiful story full of mateship and compassion; the Australian way of
life.
On an
educational level KY! opens the door for discussion and further
learning that will only enrich the life of children. KY! opens a whole
new literary world. After reading KY! children will only want to
know more about the Muslim and Asian cultures, they will want to know more
about leukaemia, they will think twice before they bully and react to those who
bully on a new level. Most of all they will find belief in themselves and love
and compassion for all around them.
As a
writer Clancy Tucker continues to grow in strength. When I pick up a Clancy
Tucker novel I can be sure of one thing, that the housework will be
forgotten and that the emotions will be flowing. Thank you Clancy Tucker
for enriching the literary world.
ISBN:
978-1-646-93226-2
Available
as a signed paperback with
matching bookmark and as an e-book from
Jennifer Douglas
Clancy's comment: Well, there ya go. I must say that this is probably the best review I've ever read - for any book! It is brilliantly written, and it sums the book up well. All of my books cover 'issues', and this book is no exception. Why do I include 'issues'? Simple. As a young adult author, I want to contribute something to the lives and thought processes of my young readers; not just entertain them. And, for issues like bullying, provide them with a few subtle tips on how do deal with bullies. I did lots of research before I wrote this book, wanting to cover all aspects of modern bullying. Back in my day, someone bullied you physically. Now, kids use social media as well.
Having said that, a good friend of mine read this book recently and said, 'Man, Clancy, you sure picked a main character with lots of characteristics that make her different from her peers.' Correct! I did, and did that for a reason. Rida, the main character, wears glasses, loves reading, wears a Muslim hijab, and is the only Muslim kid in her school. Mm ... That would sure make you stand out, eh? And, there is KY. She is Asian, has spiky hair, wears glasses, loves reading books and is very sick.
Folks, I reckon this is a good book for any kid over 6. It is also important for parents. It might just highlight why your child or grandchild has changed - maybe quiet, sulky, withdrawn etc. Think about it. Any kid being bullied generally keeps that to themselves for fear of retribution.
Thanks for listening. Thank you, Jennifer Douglas for a top review.
Oh, by the way, check out this video review for 'Pa Joe's Place', also produced by Jennifer Douglas:
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