Everybody Jam
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Andersen Press
Age 12+
Personal & Social Issues: Racism & Multiculturalism General Fiction
Danny Dawson lives in the middle of the Australian outback. His older brother Jonny was killed in an accident last year but no-one ever talks about it.
And now it's time for the annual muster. The biggest event of the year on the cattle station, and a time to sort the men from the boys. But this year things will be different: because Jonny's gone and Danny's determined to prove he can fill his brother's shoes; because their fourteen-year-old sister is pregnant; because it's getting hotter and hotter and the rains won't come; because cracks are beginning to show . . .
When Danny's mum admits she can't cope, the family hires a housegirl to help out - a wide-eyed English backpacker. She doesn't have a clue what she's let herself in for. And neither do they.
Creators
Ali Lewis was born in rural North Yorkshire in 1976, the second of three children.
Being cast as Rose Herriot in the final series of All Creatures Great and Small opened the door to a new world.
After graduating from university, she went into a career in journalism, then in 2002 she left to travel the world. It was in Australia, working on an outback cattle station, that she found the inspiration for her first novel, Everybody Jam. Since her return, Ali worked as a features writer and now has moved on to work in public relations.
Reviews
Engrossing . . . an extremely promising debut
Guardian
A stunning coming-of-age story with a gripping Australian outback setting and a strong and interesting plot. A debut novel to look out for.
Lovereading
Lewis adds a cast of striking local characters and a convincing knowledge of life in the outback. This is a debut coming of age novel that exudes a raw reality reflected in the language and in prevailing attitudes to Aborigines, Pommies, women and what constitutes a real man. It will well repay attention from male teen readers and makes Ali Lewis one to watch.
Books for Keeps
A harsh but beautiful coming-of-age story with a sweeping cinematic feel…a cracking debut.
The Scotsman
Gripping and realistic . . . an outstandingly strong first novel.
Independent on Sunday
Gorgeous story of life in the Australian outback, dealing with teen pregnancy, racism, loss of a child, and coming-of-age. Accessible, raw and honest, Bookbag loved this one.
The Bookbag
Longlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award
Southern Schools Book Award
This is an accomplished debut novel for older readers about a stranger arriving and turning everyone’s life around. You can really feel the heat, isolation and ignorance seeping from the pages.
Booktrust
There is enough adrenaline pumping through this story to power the most reluctant teenage readers. But in equal measure, humour, kindness and love filter robustly through the pages, ensuring that you experience the book through the whole gamut of your emotions.
Armadillo Magazine
Lewis weaves a powerful, beautifully textured narrative which has its greatest strength in her poignant portrayal of a family’s responses to the effects of loss, ‘loss’ here coming in many and various guises. Warmly recommended.
The School Librarian
The real charm of Everybody Jam lies in the vivid depiction of the Australian outback . . . I was consumed by this novel and found myself yearning for the wide open spaces and natural beauty of Timber Creek Station once I’d finished the book.
Blogcritics.org
Utterly mesmerising . . . a special book that I’ll read again and again. I haven’t read a coming-of-age story this brilliant for a very long time indeed.
The Bookette
An emotional, thought provoking and completely involving book, it’s funny and sad, beautiful and brutal.
Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
This is a must-read book.
Teen Titles
