Lian Tanner (text) and Cheryl Orsini (illustrator), Rita’s Revenge, Allen & Unwin, July 2022, 352 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761066009
Clever animals abound here including a detective duck named Rita, and a ‘chook-napped’ Clara (a scruffy chicken). They are characters in a mystery story which will thoroughly entertain its readers from beginning to end. Themes of deceit, revenge, problem solving, and friendship resonate in this story.
Not too dissimilar to school playground tensions, the ducks of the town of Little Dismal are on a revenge seeking path aimed at Clara the scruffy chicken. Rita’s initial goal is to restore her marred reputation (courtesy of Clara’s lies), but as the plot thickens, Rita uncovers a great deal more on her revenge mission than she expected.
Lian Tanner has written a very funny and entertaining story that is not too different from everyday life. She is also the author of the best-selling series Keepers Trilogy – winner of two Aurealis Awards for the best Australian Children’s Fantasy.
Recommended for readers aged 8-12 years, I feel Rita’s Revenge would be more suitable for a middle primary target audience than a lower secondary. Rita’s Revenge is a suitable story for use in school literacy programs, uninterrupted reading opportunities or even a great holiday read.
Recommended for ages 8+
Reviewed by Julie Deane
