Into the Blue
by
Cristy Burne
illustrated by Amanda Burnett
Publication date: 1st may 2024
Genre: Junior Fiction
Pages: 112
RRP: $14.99AU (paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: Into the Blue
Blair and his cousin Drew go on a school snorkelling trip on the wreck of the Omero. Blair sees this as the perfect opportunity to "borrow" his brother's GoPro. When he accidentally drops the GoPro and it is lost on the ocean floor Blair's excitement turns to panic. But no-one knows he took it so Blair can keep it a secret. If he can live with the guilt!
Into the Blue is a delightful story. We feel Blair's excitement and anticipation of going snorkelling, the chill of the water as he first enters the ocean then the panic and devastation as he realises he has lost his brother's precious camera.
The reader feels Blair's anguish as he goes through days of knowing what he has done but can't face up to the consequences. The guilt gnaws away at him as his brother is punished for losing the GoPro.
I loved that Into the Blue is educational as well as fun. I learnt that the Omero wreck is a real shipwreck off Perth's coastline near Coogee Beach and it is a big snorkelling attraction.
Cristy Burne combines a moral message with themes of adventure and this is a fun way to open discussions on honesty and respecting others belongings.
Blair's great-grandmother is introduced as a safe adult for Blair to open up to and I found this a heartwarming inclusion to show that the older generation is full of experience and sound advice.
Into the Blue is a story about owning up to your mistakes and facing the consequences.
My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Age recommendation: 6 - 11 years
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