Every year Melody Klomp and her family travel from their home in Charleville, Queensland to Coorong in South Australia to visit her Nana Bell. Melody loves visiting her and has a wonderful time on board her boat, ‘The Isabella’ on which she takes tourists out on the Coorong river to see the wildlife. Her Nana always has wild stories to tell her, including ones about humans turning into animals.

Droughts have hit Australia badly and when Melody returns home she learns that her Nanna Bell may have to sell her boat as the tourists are not coming and the water is drying up in places. Melody is upset, she just hopes that the rain will arrive soon.

Then one morning a flash of lightning hits nearby and Melody suddenly realises she has become a Finch. She is understandably scared but she comes across two frogs who tell her they are spy frogs and that the big rains are on the way. Melody decides she needs to get this information to her Nana and stop her selling her boat, but how can such a small bird fly all that way, especially as she doesn’t even know how to get there? Plus, Nana has her own problems to deal with as a nasty fisherman is after ruining her and all the animals living in the Coorong too.

Melody Finch is a lovely book about a young girl who becomes a bird and her adventure trying to get to her Nana Bell. Along her journey Melody encounters many different creatures, some needing her help.

The book is not only a sweet read but it educates children too on nature, climate change, and saving the species whilst we still can. It is perfect for children who want to learn more about the eco-system and for budding environmentalists.

The story is a wonderful read that’s not just about educating children regarding nature, it is also about the strength and determination of one young girl and the amazing friends she meets along her journey. There is a lot of humour within the pages that will give children a good giggle. Fast-paced, exciting, and poignant this is a book that should be in every school library.

Ian Boyd is the author of YA novel, Madilla-The Spirit of U’Katang. He was shortlisted in the Elyne Mitchell Awards for a story entitled Lydig and Shinko, and in the Goodreads SIA Murder Mystery Competition for his short story The Cerulean Rose. In the early 90s, he owned and operated the SA franchise of The Kangaroo Creek Gang Roadshow for 2 years, educating preschool and primary school students about native Australian animals.

Dr Gary Luck is Adjunct Professor of Ecology and Interdisciplinary Science at Charles Sturt University, and has nearly 30 years’ experience researching Australian wildlife. He’s published over 150 scientific papers, book chapters, reports and general articles on environmental management in Australia and globally. His other published works include the epic fantasy When Darkness Descends (published as G. W. Lücke).

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