Along with that, this new narrative also has a strong family theme and, in particular, the connection between quirky grandchild and equally quirky grandmother. Freddie Jones is autistic and quite matter-of-fact about that. He is very self-aware and is generally able to self-regulate. His great asset in this is Hobnob, his assistance dog.
It’s a very exciting time for Freddie as he is about to go
on his first holiday ever. This time his
parents, who are trouble-shooters for hotels and resorts, are taking
both Freddie and Grandma Lilly with them on their new job. And they couldn’t be
choosing a more desirable holiday destination. Far North Queensland and the Daintree
Rainforest is a drawcard for many. Freddie cannot wait to see the wildlife and
is really hoping to at least catch a glimpse of a cassowary.
With his parents busy trying to solve the mystery of
strange, fast-growing trees appearing in random places all over the resort, Freddie
and Grandma Lilly conspire to do their own style of investigations. This regularly has
humorous results as Lilly’s modus operandi is often spectacularly unusual
to say the least.
The pair of amateur
sleuths begins to piece together some seemingly random pieces of information:
fast-growing trees, stinky black stuff at their base, a fruit farmer
who appears to be producing extraordinary fruit while his neighbour is
complaining loudly about her horses acting up after eating some of the
windfalls and then there’s the flashes of yellow eyes at night, as well as
speeding movements through the forest. The
excitable group of cassowary enthusiasts are also baffled about the
recent behaviours of the local giant birds.
It’s all very
confusing and worrying. But while Freddie’s autism means some triggers and
stresses for him, it is also a strength in his ability to note facts, and make
connections between apparently unrelated events. The whole adds up to one rather extraordinary
first-time holiday and Freddie has plenty of photos, diary entries and anecdotes
with which to recall the adventure when it comes to an end.
This is a hugely entertaining read for your middle-graders
and one that will also provide excellent insight into autism as it is for one
individual. The second instalment will be out in September, so readers of this
first will be happy to know that as well. There is a discussion
guide to use for a keen book group and a chapter
sampler available, which would be great for sharing for First Chapter Fridays
or similar. I confidently predict that your readers from Year 3 to Year 6 will
be instant Freddie fans.
Title: Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees. #1 Freddie Jones series.
Author: Kate Foster
Publisher: Walker Books. Imprint: Walker Books Australia, AU$17.99/NZ$19.99
Publication Date: February 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760659936
For ages: 9 - 13 years
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
