A beautifully written story about an ordinary family living in the Northern Beaches of Sydney during the 1950s.

A beautifully written story about an ordinary family living in the Northern Beaches of Sydney during the 1950s, against the backdrop of such world events as the Cold War and the threat of the H bomb, the unrest in Indo China and the high profile case of KGB defector Vladimir Petrov. The story is chronicled by six-year-old Matilda, who sees but doesn't understand what is going on around her. Her sister Frances is troubled by the death of a friend, their sister Elizabeth, who decides she will not to return to school, becomes obsessed with reading the newspaper. Their father is often away and when he is, Uncle Paul seems always to be around. Mysterious people move in next door and one day, when she is at the pictures, Matilda notices that the Russian man in the newsreel looks just like one of the new neighbours. A novel that works on many levels, this is nothing short of Ursula Dubosarsky writing at the height of her powers.

About the Author
Ursula Dubosarsky wanted to be a writer from the age of six. She has worked as a Latin teacher, public servant, researcher for The Reader's Digest, court typist and creative writing teacher, and has a PhD in English Literature from Macquarie University. She likes walking and looking in toyshop windows, and going in quiz shows. Ursula has published more than 30 books, winning the acclaim of both readers and critics. She and her husband, Avi, have three children and live in Sydney.

Reviews
This then is more intelligent than many books for this audience - I would put it at anywhere from ten and up, so valuable an entertainment could it be for the adult reader. It's richer, deeper and a whole lot more surprising - the ultimate truths both startling in their severity yet fully understandable and in keeping. It is so much more than what it appears to be - yes, it is about the girl and the assumption that spies are next door, but there's so much more to it than that. There is a lot more to it than many books you will read this year. -- John Lloyd * The Book Bag *
Dubosarsky's writing is simple and understated, but no less beautiful for that. A mesmerising read. * Inis Reading Guide *



Book Information
ISBN 9781406358742
Author Ursula Dubosarsky
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Walker Books Ltd
Publisher Walker Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 139g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 12mm