Nova Weetman, The Jammer, University of Queensland Press, October 2022, 288 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780702265426
Twelve year old Fred, better known as ‘Fred or Dead’ on the roller derby track, is faced with unimaginable challenges as she grieves her Mum’s sudden passing.
Fred and her Dad endeavour on a spontaneous trip to Melbourne for a chance to heal from the recent heartbreak. While her Dad copes by surrounding himself with his wife’s childhood family and friends, Fred struggles to open up and share memories of her mum.
She even loses her passion for derby and throws her skates into the river. But despite Fred’s best efforts to shut out her dad, enforce a cold demeanour and disregard her love of derby, her old self is eventually rediscovered thanks to the help of the community she is surrounded by. Her new friends Sammy and Ally, her step-Uncle Graham and his dogs and her mum’s friend ‘Maxxed-Out’ create a sense of belonging for Fred and encourage her to re-embrace her derby passion.
Nova Weetman’s The Jammer is a poignant novel about the differing impacts of grief and the challenges it poses for families. Fred’s story was inspired by the very real experience of Weetman’s son who sadly lost his dad but found consolation in his love of roller derby. Through her novel, Weetman expresses her family’s story in a manner that provides hope for young people like Fred, who may share a similar experience.
‘Tween readers are sure to adore The Jammer and its honest and hopeful take on loss. Teachers notes are available at the UQP website.
Reviewed by Olivia Sammut
