You need to know a fair bit about cricket to understand the majority of this book. It is the story of Josh who is 11, who's parents have gone broke and have moved the entire family to a country town called Tarrawagga. Josh is so disgusted by the upheaval, that he refuses initially to show the kids at his school that he is a really good cricketer; a feat which is helped by the fact that his PE teacher and he do not get along. Therefore, he doesn't join the school cricket team (despite having played for district cricket U14 at his old school.) when Red the cricket captain gets up at school assembly and begs everyone to try and win the season as the school is having a new oval opened. Compounded with Josh's disgust at the "hole" that he is forced to live in, is the mystery of his next door neighbours. One house seems to have cops there all the time, while the other's gardens are kept immaculate but the blinds are always drawn, and he has only seen an eye peeking out from behind a curtain! His parents seem to know what's going on there but wont tell him. Things all come to a head when Josh starts playing for a nearby town's U14 cricket side and suddenly finds himself batting against a furious Red. This book made me laugh out loud in parts and I guessed what the deal was with the house (Spoiler Alert : its a safe house). It would be a great Grade 5 book except for the few swear words in it - such as pissed off, dickhead and shit. (Even though Aussie kids speak like this anyway!!) ( )

Suitable for Ages 9-12. May contain language not appropriate for younger readers.

Year 5