Living deep in the Australian outback on a cattle station, 13-year-old Danny Dawson experiences rough family times. His older brother, Jonny, died suddenly in an accident last year, and now his pregnant 14-year-old sister is hiding the baby's father's identity. Their parents and a younger sister, the ranch workers, a governess, and a new family helper named Liz round out the characters cept for the aboriginal neighbors who have outcast status in Danny's community. Flagrant racism has emotions running hot after the identity of the baby's father is revealed. British author Lewis' debut is based on her time as the family helper on just such an outback locale. Detailed descriptions of cattle management are included, and Aussie lingo such as Pommie, drongo, bickie, doona, and the like, are sprinkled throughout. Readers will be especially drawn in by Liz, whose outsider's perspective and steep learning curve help draw attention to the ingrained culture of abject intolerance that is, sadly, perhaps not much different from our own.

Thirteen-year-old Danny lives with his family on a cattle station in the Australian outback. It should be an exciting time for him. He is about to take part in his last muster (deciding what cattle go to slaughter or stay), his favorite part of running a cattle station, before heading to boarding school. His fourteen-year-old sister's baby is due the same month, and Danny is worried its arrival will ruin the muster. His parents hire a house girl to help them out, a British girl named Liz, who cannot even make toast without burning it and is clueless about cattle. However, Liz gets Danny to open up about the recent gruesome death of his older brother, a subject no one at his house dares to breach. Tensions in Danny's family multiply with the reveal of a secret and with the apex of the drought that threatens their station.Lewis's story is astoundingly well written and intensely absorbing. Vivid details and Australian slang bring the unique setting of the outback to life. Readers learn along with Liz about the hard and sometimes alarming work that running a cattle station entails, as well as about the deep-seated racist attitudes toward Aboriginals. Danny's emotional narrative voice is captivating and candid. The many small story lines weave together to create a poignant and raw story about prejudice, family, grief, loss, change, and healing.Amanda MacGregor.