Children's Express editor Annabel McLeod reviews Out of the Shadows by Sue Hines
| The three main characters all carry secrets they don’t want to reveal for fear of rejection... |
Out of the Shadows centres mainly on the relationship of Rowanna, Jodie and Mark - three Aussie teens. They become friends as each of them has something in common. They're all trying to hide from and cope with personal family problems.
Rowanna, a year 11 student, lost her mother in a road accident. In coming to terms with the death of a parent, the sixteen year old reflects on her mother's lesbianism. She contemplates how she dealt with living with her mother's female companion.
Jodie is a new student in school. She herself is a lesbian and reflects on how fact has affected her relationship with other girls: 'I was terrified one of them would notice that I was different, so I always sat with the boys in the class. The way I looked helped. There was nothing outwardly dykey about me.'
In the first few chapters everyone at school imagines that, because of her good looks, she's someone who's had many boyfriends. She even keeps her secret hidden from her own parents. Only her brother knows.
And then there is Mark, who comes across as the most attractive boy in class. But he also hides a secret. His father, a heavy drinker, abuses him at home.
These three characters all become friends who carry secrets they don't want to reveal for fear of rejection; that is, until the dramatic climax when all is revealed.
This story explores the impact of family secrets on friendship. In the process such issues as prejudice, peer relationships, friendship, homophobia, independence and death are explored.
Jodie and Rowanna's feelings are effectively portrayed by their diary entries, as they struggle to deal with the feelings towards the issues that surround them.
What I found most interesting about this book is the insight I got into things I haven't experienced myself before, such as homophobic bullying. As the character of Mark says:
'I had this idea that people chose to be gay, like you might choose to be vegetarian or something like that.'
There are parts of the book that deal with quite adult issues, so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under thirteen. It sets out to inform adolescents of many different issues they'll encounter in society, which I think is a really good thing.
Out of the Shadows is a superb read. I particularly like it because it doesn't sensationalise issues. Instead it presents situations to which young people can relate.
About the reviewer
This article was produced by Annabel McLeod, 14. It was published in Young Minds magazine.
