Saltwater Boy

Gr 6 Up–This poignant coming-of-age novel set on the Australian coast in the early 1990s delves into tough family issues. Matthew and his mom move out to the coast after losing their house while his dad is incarcerated, but finally things are starting to look up. Matty makes a new friend, learns to fish, and falls in love with his surroundings. But when his father is released and joins the family, his presence and erratic actions threaten Matty’s peace. The characters and events in this novel are deeply relatable and realistic, and the themes of environmental respect, found-family, poverty, and reconciliation are well explored throughout. There are many touching scenes, but readers may struggle with how abuse and mental health are handled. Matthew’s dad is physically and emotionally abusive to both his son and wife, yet Matty is encouraged to “give him another chance” by every adult and friend. Mental health issues seem implied but are never addressed or treated. A change of heart about two-thirds into the novel makes the father more sympathetic, but previous events are glossed over. Readers will fall in love with the setting’s flora and fauna, along with Matty, in beautifully descriptive writing but may struggle with inconsistencies in event timing and the spelling of characters’ names; there’s a plethora of Australian terms but no glossary. Indigenous culture is respectfully treated; adoption and changing friendships are brought up with little depth in treatment.