Wow! Zillah Bethell's new story, after the amazing 'The Shark Caller', is incredible. Out next month, 'The Song Walker' is a brilliantly blazing, dream-time rhapsody of a children's book. Urgent, mysterious and singing with raw emotion, it is a book that seizes you immediately and never lets go. A story about survival, identity, the nature of existence and, at its heart, how friendship can save us, 'The Song Walker' is already a top book for 2023. Dapo Adeola, Tracy Darnton, Joseph Coelho and Chitra Soundar are among the 19 authors and illustrators longlisted for the Inclusive Books for Child... A young girl is alone walking through the wild landscape; she can’t remember who she is, where she is or why she is here. After a long cold night out in this place she is found by another young girl. This one is native to the land, a First Nation Australian; her name is Tarni.

Tarni says she will take Magpie with her - but where is she going? The girls seemingly have nothing in common but as their journey continues they become friends who are willing to stand up for each other. Not everything goes to plan, and everything is not as it seems. At a petrol station that Magpie doesn't go with her to, Tarni finds out something important. But she doesn't tell Magpie.I usually write up a short summary of the story but I won't this time because 1) I don't think I could do it justice and 2) I think readers need to just dive into it and discover... It actually took me a while to start writing my review as I didn't feel I could put into words just how extraordinary this story is. Someone was saying recently how important children's books are because they leave a huge impression on a young mind - everything is a discovery, everything is mind-opening and exciting. As adults, it's not as common to get such a deep reading experience as we do when we are children but The Song Walker does give you this. It's truly one of the most amazing books I have read this year and one of the most amazing books I have ever read. Author Anna Kemp introduces The Hollow Hills, the sequel to her dark magical tale, Into Goblyn Wood. The Song Walker is a soulful story that beautifully serenades the reader with themes of freedom, identity, music and heritage. Zillah Bethell’s writing always takes readers to new horizons. This is a really brilliant middle grade adventure story full of bellbirds and brumby horses, music and culture. I couldn't put it down! I have read The Shark Caller and yet was still surprised by the revelations towards the end.

The young girl is found in the dessert hungry thirsty, and sunburnt with only one shoe on. She is rescued by a young girl Tarni. The location is as beautifully evoked as these intriguing characters and as their stories unfold and memories are awakened, a strong bond is formed between the girls despite their cultural and economic differences. Music is a strong theme throughout the book, not just because of what the case contains, but through the ancient song lines which Tarni uses to navigate their route.

The Song Walker is a children’s story suitable for the ages of 9-12+. The two protagonists are both 13 years old so this would easily suit middle grade readers. I really enjoyed this; it would suit young readers who are looking for a friendship and adventure story or who are interested in cultural fiction. The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children... Respect for ancient traditions and the powerful connections between people and places is an important aspect of this remarkable and beautifully written story. We also confront the imbalance of power between the First Country and the white community reflected in the importance put on the life of a white girl but not on that of a First Country girl.

The Song Walker is an extraordinary new story of friendship, discovery and courage from Zillah Bethell, author of The Shark Caller which won the Wales Book of the Year and the Edward Stanford Children's Travel Book of the Year 2022. The author’s previous book The Shark Caller was a real favourite here at BooksForTopics HQ and also among our community of teachers and librarians. The Song Walker is a newstandalone adventure that shares a similar intensity of setting and an interweaving of gentle existentialist musings with relatable themes of making friendships and searching for identity in the face of cultural and familial expectations. First Country beliefs are cleverly woven into the story, and Tarni uses some Alyawarre words which are made clear by the context, but a Glossary is available to explain them all. There is a charming sub-plot about Tarni’s relationship with a honey-eater bird with a broken wing, whom she carries around in a home-made cage, and is reluctant to let free when he is well enough- another instance, like the sister, of the need to let go. A book that writes of bellbirds and wondering spirits, of wild peaches and brumby horses, of the dreamtime and songlines, of classical music and indigenous culture. But at its essence a book that writes of the true connection between people. The Song Walker is a beautiful new story, full of friendship, self-discovery and courage from Zillah Bethell, author of The Shark Caller.Tarni is so caring she makes a new shoe for the girl as she can’t keep walking around with only one shoe on. The only thing is there is nothing near the desert, no town, no Farm, and no mobile phone. As they journey across the scorched desert, the true understanding of friendship and life becomes apparent. Each helping the other in unexpected ways. This book has a powerful message of equality and empathy, spirituality and identity. An intense and rewarding reading experience that fans of her debut novel The Shark Caller will absolutely devour.