Pender and his father live in in the bush, a long way from town. Pender’s dad is an artist, who spends all day creating new masterpieces. Pender is left to himself but he’s never lonely. Outside there are the chickens, the dog, Billy-Bob, and the cat, Ricky, and past the fence there are lots of birds and animals to entertain him. Then, one day, something terrible happens. Pender hears gunshots. He finds an orphaned Joey and brings it home. At first the joey needs Pender’s care and is content, but eventually she feels the tug of the wild in her heart. Can Pender let her go? Will she be safe out there?

It takes a little while for the story to pick up speed but, once it gets moving, it flows along at a gentle pace. For children living in a city this will seem like an alien landscape, but it will resonate with all the rural dwellers.

Reviewed by Wendy Noble
Age Guide 8+