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Before George

My new name was George.
I wondered how easy it was going to be, having a new name. Did it make me a new person? For the past twelve years – all my life – I was Marnya.

When Marnya immigrates to New Zealand from South Africa in 1953 with her mother and sister, her mother cuts off Marnya’s hair and changes her name to George to hide her identity as a girl. Hours later, their Christmas Eve train plummets into the Whangaehu River and George loses not only her family and name, but also the answers as to why her mother deceived her father and fled their homeland.

Now a ward of the state, George finds herself enrolled in a rural school where survival depends on fitting in with a group of boys who think she’s strange. Disconnected from everything that once defined who she was, George must reconstruct her identity and come to understand her mother’s decisions.

Written by Deborah Robertson

Original price was: $30.00.Current price is: $24.00. incl. GST

2 in stock

Description

For ages 11 to 14,  i.e. older junior fiction to early teen fiction

Reviews

Briar Lawry, The Sapling ~ The character of George—and to a lesser extent, the key supporting characters like Will and Percy—is so well-developed and created. I felt thoroughly immersed in George’s mind and perspective, and I think a big part of that was the fact that it felt so very real. George may be 12, but 12-year-olds dealing with her sorts of challenges have a level of world weariness that is captured in her narration. It doesn’t feel too old, or too young—both of which can easily happen in stories with protagonists this age.

And then there are horses! Enough, I think, that horse book aficionados will be pleased—not so much as to dissuade those who are less equine enthused. My former Pony Pals and Saddle Club-reading self was delighted. The final climax takes place at an A&P show. How much more 50s Aotearoa can you get?

Ultimately, it’s a beautiful book. One I would thoroughly recommend. And if I’m totally honest, much more engaging and deep than I initially thought when I unpacked it and saw the cover. Read the full review.

 

Additional information

Weight250 g
Dimensions21 × 13.8 × 3 cm
ISBN

9781775507291

First published

2023

Format

Paperback edition

Page count

416

Published by

Huia Publishers

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