Fremantle Press

Book title: Trapped! by Julia Lawrinson

Reviewer: Myra A.

In her latest book, acclaimed children’s author Julia Lawrinson rekindles the heartening rescue story of the Italian miner Modesto Varischetti, who was entombed in the mines of Western Australia in 1907. What makes Trapped! an endearing novel is that it is told through the lens of the miner’s son. We journey with the young Giuseppe — Joe, as he is referred to in the book — from Gorno, Italy, where his circumstances living with a mistreating uncle compel his papà to take him along, to Bonnie Vale, Western Australia. There, Joe navigates life as an Italian schoolboy learning the language of the Britishers, while his papà makes a living in the mines.

The tale of Modesto’s rescue has been recounted in various forms before — newspaper articles, journals, and even podcasts — but for the first time, it is narrated to us in a form that young literary fans would enjoy: in verse novel. Reading Trapped! in verse is not only a delectable experience — where, bite by bite, young Joe’s world takes shape piecemeal — but also one that, through its chopped rhythm, gingerly builds a sense of apprehension, keeping the reader on their toes.

Author Lawrinson does a scrupulous job of telling this story. She paints for the audience the scenario of heavy rains suddenly flooding a mine in the middle of a desert. Of the several miners who tried to escape, only one was left behind — surviving over a week trapped in an air pocket. Ultimately when the readers get to the part of how the rescue mission was conceived, they will find themselves enthused, thinking — this has to be made up!

But Lawrinson knows how to unfold these series of events that led to the heart-warming moment where, after the abundant and steady demonstration of human togetherness, Joe is finally reunited with his papà. The different flavors of the story mix together so satisfyingly. Readers become acquainted with the language of the mining landscape (there is even an index at the end of the book), and the author successfully familiarises us with the terminologies, without sacrificing the voice of the story.

Most notably, we are drawn deliberately into the poignant contextualisation of emigration and immigration in this story. Through Trapped!, Lawrinson details that the events of March 1907, in the now ghost town of Bonnie Vale, stand not only as a testament to human kindness, but also as a reminder of the areas of opportunities still within its reach.

The publication of Trapped! is a resurfacing of a pocket of Australia’s history. Amid the divisive attempts of society, throughout this book, light is being shed on this portrayal of human solidarity — something that we desperately need today.

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Reviewer’s bio:

Myra A. is a Filipina writer based in Western Sydney. She works full-time as a quality engineer and part-time as a movement instructor. Her true passion lies in words, and she fills her free time with books. Myra A. is an emerging writer and a cohort of The WestWords Academy 2025. Her poems ‘Transpacific’ and ‘i’ were published in The Living Stories anthologies, earning her a Highly Commended Writer title in 2024 and a Winner award in 2025, respectively. Her upcoming works include an audio story titled ‘From Beyond the Karman Line’, set to be released by All The Best Radio, and a poem titled ‘In the Mountains’, which has been selected for publication in ZineWest 2025.

Book title: Ningaloo by Tim Winton and Cindy Lane

Reviewer: Lathalia Song

The cover image immerses the reader in cyan-clear water that holds a huge whale shark – this is our introduction to ‘Ningaloo’ by Tim Winton and illustrated by Cindy Lane. Nyinggulu, the original name for the Ningaloo region in Western Australia, is World Heritage listed and is part of Baiyungu, West Thalanji, and Yinigurtura peoples country. This text carefully lays out the significance of country, plants and creatures that symbiotically support each other. Each is explained in detail: the four regions of the reef, gulf, the islands, the mountains and the lake. All of which is highlighted in an encyclopaedic style for children to easily consume. Watercolour sketches further bring to life some quirky and odd characters.

Some particular highlights include the attention given to individual types of corals: the parrotfish who eat and sculpt the fringing coral reef (longest of its kind in the world), and the blue lipped giant clams hanging out with green turtles and humpback whales. There are further marvels to discover: including the great sand dunes that nurse the baby turtles on their epic journeys, some of which go on to live for a hundred years.

There is a wonderful ‘take action’ list, that gives hope for young readers. It explains how visiting the Jamba Nyinayi Festival near Coral Bay is one such action that will reveal the First peoples commitment to this wonder, as well as the efforts of the conservation and science groups. Ningaloo is an excellent resource book for the classroom or home, and is simply a beautiful book to own and a joy to contemplate.

Loved reading about Ningaloo? Imagine the impact of helping a child discover their first favourite book.

By supporting Booktober, you’re helping the next generation in Western Sydney and regional NSW find their voice - and maybe even write the books you’ll be reading in the future.

Donate today at booktober.org.au/donate 

Reviewer’s bio:

Lathalia Song is a teaching artist/poet, writer and advocate. Previously an editor, designer and copywriter for various design agencies. Her hybrid works are found in Streetcake Magazine, Harpy Hydrid Review, Levatio, The Minison Project, Lothlorien Poetry Journal, Authora Australis, Moss Puppy and Moon Cola zine. Editor for Authora Australis.

Her illustrated poetic fables, ink designs are abstracted and screenprinted at flywaterleaflight. Sharing the joy of creativity each year at heffalumpdezign. A mid-career designer/copywriter and illustrator swivelling into fine art and creative writing.