Anh Do’s writing has been something of a phenomenon. Beginning with his memoir The Happiest Refugee through to numerous series for kids including the extraordinary success of Wolf Girl and Sky Dragon. This novel, Wave Breaker, is the fifth in the Sky Dragon series.
The series itself is wonderful and full of adventure for Amber and her ability to harness the power of the insects around her. For those who are unfamiliar with the series, Amber is no ordinary girl. She is a superhero with immense power. At nine years old, both of her parents died and her thirteen-year-old brother, Reggie, was sent into a coma as the result of a meteorite falling on their home. At the time, some goo seemed to seep into Amber’s skin which has since given her the ability to control insects and work with others to solve mysteries.
In Wave Breaker, Anh Do takes Amber away from the plight of her beloved insects and takes an almost sideways step in the overall narrative arc of the Sky Dragon series. This time, dolphins and whales need the help of the unexpected superhero. While her immediate attention is drawn to hundreds of thousands of dead insects on the sand, it is the issues of the beached whales that set Amber on her mission.
It seems a little strange that Do decided not to continue the overall story and deviate to create this slightly offbeat edition. In saying that, it remains another cracker of a story for younger readers providing all the action, adventure, and humour that Do does so well.
Like the rest of the series, the illustrations by James Hart are a true stand-out. They move the young reader seamlessly through the story with ease and break up the intensity of the text. Overall, another great example of Anh Do’s writing for young people.
Reviewer: Chris Reed
Allen & Unwin