I probably hadn’t re-read it since the 25th anniversary
edition but have loved revisiting it again over the past two nights. As well as
that, I’ve enjoyed some lengthy email conversation with the stupendously
talented Jackie around this book and other more close-to-home matters for the
past couple of days.
It’s not only a privilege to call this talented human my friend, but an honour to hear the personal backstories of the book-stories. Many will know of Jackie’s start in professional writing, when she first moved to her place in the Araluen valley – mostly idyllic, sometimes not so much – and truly it’s such a testament to tenacity and self-belief that it begs to be shared with young readers, particularly those who struggle with learning difficulties.
If you are one who has missed that somehow [how??] then you will find the afterword so inspirational.These are stories born of Jackie’s love of her valley, the
people she came to know, the memories she held of her own life and an insight
into a slice of humanity and living that will remain with the reader for a long
time. Now 35 years on, some of those local characters are no longer with us which makes the reading even more poignant for both author and this reader.
This celebratory edition includes the 25th anniversary
afterword as well as a newer update which provides readers with a retell of
that early start to her stellar professional writing career, with the typewriter rescued from the tip, an improvised desk utilising an old door, the shed living
arrangements along with Gladys, the black snake, not to mention a small baby.
It also shares Jackie’s journey from a kid who loved to
write and tell stories to the much awarded, lauded and successful writer across
multiple genres., despite her dyslexia. In this she acknowledges the help and advice from expert editors and mentors from her publishing house.
As I write this review I am preparing resources/notes for Jackie’s
newest title, the start in a new middle-grade series and I can’t even tell
which number to apply to the book. There have been hundreds and I cannot even
begin to name favourites of mine or of my dozens of readers, though the Matilda
saga, the historical middle-grade novels such as Pharoah and, of course, the
Wombat books are certainly among them.
For this book, I think it’s Afternoon with Grandma that
touches me most. Like many, including Jackie herself, a close personal
association with Alzheimers robbing us of a loved one makes this one resonate
with me and the tears spring up instantly.
I commented to Jackie how utterly wonderful it is that with
this striking new cover Rain Stones will be introduced to a whole new
generation and I guarantee that there will be many readers who will fall in
love with this anthology, as have so many others before them.
There is never any hesitation from me with a Jackie French
book – it’s a fantastic read for anyone from around 9 years upwards.
Title: Rain Stones
Author: Jackie French
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia, $17.99
Publication Date: March 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN:9781460768808
For ages: 9+
Type: Middle grade fiction/Anthology
