Talk under water by Kathryn Lomer
University of Queensland Press, 2015. ISBN 9780702253690
(Age: Teens) Recommended. Will and Summer meet online and strike
up a friendship based on coincidence. Summer lives in Will's old
hometown, Kettering, a small Tasmanian coastal community. Both
Will and Summer are missing a parent and needing a friend.
Summer isn't telling the whole truth about herself, but figures it
doesn't matter if they never see each other in person, right? When
Will returns to Kettering, the two finally meet and Summer can no
longer hide her secret. Can Summer and Will still find a way to be
friends? (Publisher)
Witnessing Will and Summer meet for the first time in person was
certainly not what I had anticipated at all, although it was very
entertaining. The blossoming rollercoaster relationship between Will
and Summer was incredibly beautiful and so sweetly unique; how much
Will was doing for Summer by learning sign language and Summer being
able to open herself up to someone about her father.
Both characters were beautifully created and continued to develop in
a realistic manner whereas many books rush the character
development. Will and Summer caused the readers to feel their
emotions, but not exaggerated emotions; realistic emotions.
The storyline was one that I have not seen before but it was very
interesting and adventurous as it was mostly based around the
Tasmanian coast. The cover gives the reader almost a sense of wonder
through Will and Summer being underwater but also the sea creatures
added to create that feeling of being underwater.
I also adored how the author incorporated the explanations of some
sign language words, it got me trying them out myself; plus the sign
language alphabet at the back of the book has me very intrigued!
I would recommend this book to readers 16+ who love a book that will
make you think and allow you to not only to discover a whole new
language but also to witness what online meetings can turn into when
you meet in person - the person isn't always as they seem.
Jemma Hadley (Student)