by Kristina Rahim
Ever since bully Isacc Brooks made a snide comment about Max’s family at a gig, he’s not only been struck by stage fright, he also feels like his wider confidence and self-belief are ebbing away. Mum and Mumsha (“this random combo of Mum and Ayesha”) wonder if a meeting with his donor, Hari, an old friend of Mumsha, might help him reconnect with himself: “maybe I could finally understand myself a bit better and find out what makes me…me”.
Ella is Hari and Becs’ child. She misses her mum who is very often away with work and is mostly present on a screen. Right now, Ella’s life is crammed with big transitions. She’s about to start secondary school and her bestie, Izzy, is not only joining a different school, she’s also gone away with a brand new group of friends. And, while Ella did have the triumphant last stage of their 1000 mile family hike challenge to look forward to, it now looks like they’ll be joined by ‘brother’, Max: “This donor kid is gatecrashing our last family hike”.
In the end, only Ella, Max and Hari can make the hike, intensifying a whole whirlpool of emotions for everyone. When the trip takes on a sudden and dramatic turn of events, they're all forced to confront their own and each other’s feelings with a new honesty and, ultimately, also with compassion.
A 2nd coming-of-age middle grade novel from Rahim (see The Doughnut Club) where ideas of identity and belonging are explored through families and friendships. Uses a dual narrative format, with Max and Ella alternating point of view chapters.
Books starring donor conceived children are sorely needed; as Rahim reminds us in her backnote, “the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority predict that by 2030 there will be an average of one or two donor conceived children in every English state primary school.” Max and Ella manages to navigate the sometimes complex feelings members of a donor family have with a fresh honesty, while also emphatically affirming that family structure. Max’s experience of being bullied and his own gradual self-empowerment is skilfully and sensitively handled. We also loved the way the novel places Max’s family within a wider community- there are the families at the regular Pride Picnic meet ups and we also learn that Ella’s Aunty Yaz’s son was donor conceived (in his case, through an unknown donor). [Mum and Mumsha are an interracial couple]. Age 9-12, Paperback 254pp
Themes: LQBTQ+ Themes: Diverse Families Themes: Bullying