Fred’s roller derby kit is at the bottom of the Brisbane River. Fred plays jammer in the sport her mum loved, but since mum passed away it hasn’t felt right at all. Fred and her dad travel to Melbourne after the funeral to spend time with people who knew mum. Fred is used to moving around a lot, but in Melbourne, she starts new friendships. Despite her best efforts to renounce it, she feels the call of roller derby once again.

This is an excellent novel about grief, growing up, finding your community and embracing your passions. It’s clear that Nova Weetman truly respects and empathises with young people, and she has created some lovely characters here, filling the book with interesting and kind people, such as Sammy who catches mice by the creek and sells them as pets to fund his skating, and Graham, a gentle and observant man who works at an animal shelter and draws a map of Preston to welcome Fred to the neighbourhood.

Weetman’s books are perfectly pitched for tweens and adored by readers; I’m certain readers will adore The Jammer too. For ages 10+.

Kim Gruschow is the co-manager of Readings st Kilda