Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Allen & Unwin (2008), Paperback, 348 pages
Description
Fourteen-year-old Gemma Stone struggles to understand her shifting emotions as her older sister plans her wedding, she overcomes her nerves and tries out for the school play, and she gets to know one of the most notorious boys in her class.
User reviews
LibraryThing member SamuelW
My Big Birkett is Lisa Shanahan’s first full-length novel. She has previously written picture books for young children – and it definitely shows. This book resonates with the kind of delightful, heart-warming humour that all my family’s favourite picture books are fuelled by. Shanahan manages
It took me a few chapters to get used to Shanahan’s characters. Most of them are mere caricatures, with one defining attribute that is exaggerated to create the humour. Gemma’s dad is overly stupid, her mum is overly embarrassing, and her best friend Jody is overly gossipy and girly. Only the characters of Gemma, Raven and, to some extent, Nick, are fleshed out in any great detail. Until I settled into this slightly melodramatic cast of characters, I found the action in the novel somewhat unrealistic. After twenty pages or so, it turned from unrealistic to funny, and I was able to enjoy the rest of the book.
The take-home message from My Big Birkett seems to be that ‘life is an emotional roller-coaster, but the ride is always a precious and worthwile thing.’ This book is all about the ups and downs of life that make living so special, and the unexpected joys and sorrows of people who are more than they seem. If you are open minded and light-hearted, then this book might just fill you up with the same warm, fuzzy happiness that it filled me up with.
My Big Birkett is for all those who love to read the odd picture book from the bookshelf of their younger sibling or child. It gets a thumbs up from me – a worthy candidate for this year’s CBC shortlist. I look forward to reading Lisa Shanahan’s future work.
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the emotions of her readers effortlessly, making them laugh one minute and nearly cry the next. Without question, the best thing about My Big Birkett is that all its emotions are perfectly balanced – never too much of anything, never too little, and nothing too quickly. The more you react emotionally to your reading, the more you will enjoy this novel.It took me a few chapters to get used to Shanahan’s characters. Most of them are mere caricatures, with one defining attribute that is exaggerated to create the humour. Gemma’s dad is overly stupid, her mum is overly embarrassing, and her best friend Jody is overly gossipy and girly. Only the characters of Gemma, Raven and, to some extent, Nick, are fleshed out in any great detail. Until I settled into this slightly melodramatic cast of characters, I found the action in the novel somewhat unrealistic. After twenty pages or so, it turned from unrealistic to funny, and I was able to enjoy the rest of the book.
The take-home message from My Big Birkett seems to be that ‘life is an emotional roller-coaster, but the ride is always a precious and worthwile thing.’ This book is all about the ups and downs of life that make living so special, and the unexpected joys and sorrows of people who are more than they seem. If you are open minded and light-hearted, then this book might just fill you up with the same warm, fuzzy happiness that it filled me up with.
My Big Birkett is for all those who love to read the odd picture book from the bookshelf of their younger sibling or child. It gets a thumbs up from me – a worthy candidate for this year’s CBC shortlist. I look forward to reading Lisa Shanahan’s future work.
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LibraryThing member swampygirl
I mostly found this book terribly interesting because it was the first fictional book I've read that sounds like creative nonfiction that was written by a woman (a noticeable change from all the guys I've been reading who use this style).
I also thought that some of the things that Gemma considers
I also thought that some of the things that Gemma considers
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throughout the novel were quiet interesting, as well as the fact that it was set in Australia. Some of it was outrageous, but I guess that would probably help keep a younger reader interested. Over all, most of it was quiet realistic. Show Less
LibraryThing member debnance
1001 CBYMRBYGU
Things you will like about this book: the idea of a “big birkett”...a couple who meets on the spice aisle...the De Head family...a high school production of a Shakespearean play that is amazingly deep...a high school aged flower girl...and much, much more.
Things you will like about this book: the idea of a “big birkett”...a couple who meets on the spice aisle...the De Head family...a high school production of a Shakespearean play that is amazingly deep...a high school aged flower girl...and much, much more.
LibraryThing member electrascaife
The story of an Australian teen working through normal teen stuff: trying to feel comfortable with herself enough to try out for the school play, suffering through the preparations for her obnoxious sister's wedding, and crushing hard on the gorgeous rich kid while not really recognizing her
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feelings for the Bad Boy Who Lives on the Other Side of the Tracks and Who Also Has Feelings for Her. A fun story with some nicely-handled serious bits as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sheila1957
Gemma's sister is getting married into a military family. Gemma has also been convinced to audition for the school play. She overcomes a lot in this year but what a wild ride.
I found this to be one of the funniest books I have read in a while. Gemma is great. Her 14-year-old voice is perfect. She
I loved the story. I loved Gemma and Raven. I especially loved what Gemma learned over that year on love, family, and people.
I found this to be one of the funniest books I have read in a while. Gemma is great. Her 14-year-old voice is perfect. She
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has some good moments at the bridal fair (flower girl dresses) and at school and at other's homes. She realizes how shallow so many are including herself. Her dad is a typical dad--embarrassing his kids when not complaining about his lawn and offering advice to others on theirs. Her mom is a typical mom trying to smooth ruffled feathers. Her sister and the 3 R's (read the book) are pains-in-the-behinds. The parents of the others--Nick, Raven, and the groom--give Gemma a contrast to her parents. I loved the story. I loved Gemma and Raven. I especially loved what Gemma learned over that year on love, family, and people.
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LibraryThing member RobertaLea
What a DELIGHT of a read!
Subjects
Awards
CBCA Book of the Year (Shortlist — Older Readers — 2007)
Original publication date
2006
Physical description
348 p.; 7.48 inches
ISBN
1741145872 / 9781741145878