What Zola did on Thursday by Melina Marchetta and Deb Hudson

Title: What Zola did on Thursday

Author: Melina Marchetta and Deb Hudson

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 2^nd February 2021

Format: Paperback

Pages: 96

Price: $12.99

Synopsis: From the author of Looking for Alibrandi comes this gorgeous series to engage and entertain newly independent young readers.

A wonderful children’s series celebrating community, sustainability, diversity and family from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi. Fun, heart-warming stories full of mischief, humour and feeling, sure to charm and engage newly independent young readers.

Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can’t keep out of trouble. Like on Thursday, when she and the gang form a band and upset their cranky neighbour, Mr Walton . . .

Collect all seven stories in the series – one for every day of the week!

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It’s Thursday, and Zola has something new to do – practise her trombone! But her neighbour doesn’t like it when all the kids play their instruments, nor does he like it when they play pranks. When Zola’s teacher announces a performance competition for the local fete, Zola and her friends decide to form a band – but who will their leader be, and what will they play? And can Zola show Mr Walton she’s a nice person?

Following on from the first three books, we see Zola partaking in a new hobby. This time she is playing music and the story feeds on the trials of learning a musical instrument, and the desire to perform. Zola and her friends are a diverse group – from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, and this brings a bright and fun zest to the story, as music is the key unifier, and they all want to play together – but it seems that everything is working against them finding a rehearsal space!

Zola and her friends are clever and creative though, and soon Zola and her nonna come up with an idea, and everyone in the street works together, providing a nice sense of community for kids to read about and hopefully relate to. This oght and entertaining series also has lessons about cooperation, friendship and being kind to those around us and in our community, and celebrating being part of a vibrant and diverse Australia, where we all have our talents and stories, and should all be able to tell them. Poor Zola is always in trouble, which reminds me a bit of Anne from Anne of Green Gables. Like Anne, Zola always manages to fix her mistakes and learn a lesson from them to take into the future and grow.

This beautiful addition to the series builds on the variety of things kids can do at home, and hobbies that they can take part in. This one promotes music and team work, as well as connecting with older people in your community, and makes for an excellent story that builds on Zola’s world, and will enthral fans of the series!