Cicada Summer

Eloise arrives in a small Australian country town to spend the summer with her grandmother. After her father's death, she has stopped speaking entirely and must now navigate life in an unfamiliar place. In the old schoolhouse near her grandmother's home, Eloise encounters Anna, a mysterious girl who seems to appear and disappear at will. Their wordless friendship develops as they explore the abandoned building and its secrets together. The story follows Eloise as she uncovers decades-old mysteries about the schoolhouse and the town's history. Her investigations lead her to confront truths about both the past and her own grief. This middle-grade novel examines themes of loss, healing, and the power of friendship to help restore what's broken. Through its parallel mysteries - one historical and one personal - the story shows how facing the truth can open paths to recovery.

Readers describe this Australian middle-grade mystery as atmospheric and engaging, with many noting its thoughtful handling of grief and family relationships. The story's slow-burning pace and focus on character development resonates with both young readers and adults. Readers appreciated: - Authentic portrayal of a small rural town - Complex friendship dynamics - Integration of supernatural elements - Relatable main character Eloise Common criticisms: - Plot moves too slowly for some younger readers - Some found the ending predictable - A few readers wanted more resolution to certain story threads Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon AU: 4.2/5 (15 ratings) "The descriptions of the old house and countryside made me feel like I was there," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "Perfect for fans of quiet mysteries that focus on character growth." Some younger readers commented that they expected more action and supernatural elements based on the cover and description.

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🦗 Kate Constable wrote Cicada Summer after being inspired by an old, abandoned house she discovered while staying in country Victoria, Australia. 🏠 The novel's setting, the fictional town of Ashcroft, captures the atmosphere of drought-stricken rural Australia during a scorching summer. 📚 The book explores themes of grief and healing through the main character Eloise, who becomes selectively mute after her mother's death. 🎨 The story weaves elements of magical realism with a classic mystery, as Eloise discovers an old house that seems to exist in two different time periods. 🦋 The transformation of cicadas from underground dwellers to winged creatures serves as a metaphor throughout the book for Eloise's own journey of emotional metamorphosis.