This was absolutely brilliant. I loved the story and I was totally hooked from the beginning. The characters were so well written and developed. I loved how their relationship blossomed as the story went on. It was such a magical read and would work brilliantly as a class read for Y5+. I want to read it all over again!

An unusual and really good MG fiction read. Brilliant to see a novel with an unusual setting and so much folklore and native tradition woven in. Will definitely recommend to the children using my library.

Zilah Bethell's books are truly amazing. Following on from The Shark Caller - The Song Walker is set in the Australian Outback. The main character wakes up, formally dressed, carrying an object and she has no idea of her name.
The girl meets Tarni who is on a big walk and Tarni shows the young girl how to survive in the unrelenting outback. Tarni is on her own journey - to find her sister and the young girl is just trying to survive and figure out who she is.
Each girl, however, is hiding a secret.
As the story progresses, secrets begin to unfold. Memories start to come back and survival is proving to be difficult.

A heartwarming tale that grips the reader.

An ethereal journey through the beautifully bleak Australian outback, and an absolute masterpiece of captivating storytelling.

Zillah has a special gift for weaving a wondrous narrative around very human experiences, while dusting the whole stunning tale with supernatural magic!

A quite frankly remarkable read, this starts with a girl with total amnesia, struggling to work out the basics of her existence, in the middle of nowhere. When a second girl joins her, she learns she is in the Australian outback, and now in the company of a 'song walker' – someone using a musical map from her heritage to trek for hundreds of miles across the seemingly empty lands. The narrative is both their physical journey, and of course their more metaphorical one, as they seek who they are and what they want, respectively.

And that's definitely as much of the plot as you need to know, leaving the rest as something you need to discover. It's forever incredibly readable and engaging, and from this untutored British point of view, seems to nail the accuracy and respect needed to get the Australian First Nations sense onto the page – about the only instance of a sensitivity reader actually being worth their oxygen. Written in Wales, by the sound of it, this certainly takes you somewhere else – to a place seldom written about, barely read about, and all the better and more memorable for it. Indeed, if I can borrow the musical terms it itself uses, this is actually about the harmony between White Australia and the First Nations. Except it's also about the fantastic plot, and the joy of reading such a thing. With a welter of emotional punches, this is definitely a standout story, and one of the highlights of my recent reading.

Wow! What a thrilling read for UKS2. A tale of rediscovery, resilience and friendship. I read this from cover to cover in one sitting as I was desperate to know what had really happened to 'Moonflower' or Magpie. The description of the changing landscape as the girls travelled was vivid and authentic. It was so refreshing to read about the dream time culture from a new perspective.
I will certainly be buying a copy for our UKS2 reading area.

Absolutely, breathtakingly, stunningly phenomenal. I read this from cover to cover barely pausing to breathe. What an outstanding story. I thought I’d predicted the end but, although on the right track, I was miles off. I loved the friendship between the characters, they’re poles apart in lifestyle and character but formed an amazing relationship due to the circumstances they found themselves in. Each dependent on each other to survive. Fabulously written as always from Zillah Bethell.

A story of friendship and perseverance, finding the truth and never giving up hope. A young girl finds herself wandering alone in the desert. She can’t remember who she is, why she is there or what happened to her. She meets a first country girl called Tarni who saves her life. They travel together, facing challenges and tough decisions, ultimately searching for their own truths. But they forge an unforgettable friendship along the way.
This is another gem from Zillah Bethell, written with her characteristic descriptive narrative that conjures a breathtaking landscape in your mind. The characters are alive and you have a vested interest in their story, right from Chapter One. A wonderful twist in the tale makes this a compelling read that came to an end all too soon. Highly recommend.

I loved The Shark Caller (haven't read others by Zillah Bethall) and really looked forward to this. I was lucky to read this advance ecopy (should have written the review yesterday though as no longer on my shelf!). I honestly didn't think I could like this as much....but I did.

We meet the first character, a girl, immediately....but who is she, how did she get there and where is there? There is the Australian Outback, as for who and why - that's the story! The next character is Tarni, a First Country girl who finds the mysterious girl in a black velvet dress with one shoe (also black and very unsuitable for her location) carrying a long slim case made of metal. When Tarni sees her she thinks she is dead - she very nearly is. Tarni names the girl Magpie. They are joined by a bellbird that Tarni has in a cage because it's wing is damaged.
Tarni says she will take Magpie with her - but where is she going? The girls seemingly have nothing in common but as their journey continues they become friends who are willing to stand up for each other. Not everything goes to plan, and everything is not as it seems. At a petrol station that Magpie doesn't go with her to, Tarni finds out something important. But she doesn't tell Magpie.
Can they survive and make it to Tarni's destination?

This story is outstanding. The girls' friendship is extraordinary and their journey is terrifying. The description of thirst and hunger - and sickness are amazing. Totally outstanding, I want this at school.

A perfect book for the current cold snap - I felt the heat of the outback sunshine as I was reading!

Zillah clearly loves and respects the Australian culture and all its intricacies. I learned a lot in the course of this book! It's a fantastic read, very atmospheric and rich, a wonderful idea well realised.

I did not guess the big twist near the end, but looking back there were clues spread all the way through. It's such a well done read, I was almost literally glued to it, waiting to see what would happen. The friendship between the girls is wonderful, really touching, and I loved - oops, spoilers! I'd better not say. But I will say it involves a gallery, and when you see it you'll know.

Looking back, this had the potential to be a really spooky book, but it's not; it's lovely and heartfelt and cozy and I really enjoyed it. Highly recommend.

Another captivating tale from Zillah Bethell. The story is set in the Australian outback and takes two young people on a journey of self discovery, whilst they navigate surviving the harsh, formidable conditions the setting presents. As with all of Zillah's books it has strong cultural references, with vivid descriptions, whisking you away on the adventure alongside the characters. It took me a little while to put into words my feelings about The Song Walker, as it covers so many meaningful ideas weaved carefully and considerately within a tale of friendship, love, heritage and loss - I felt my words would not quite convey its depth and power accurately or give it the kudos it deserves. As with all of Zillah's books, it has subtle clues about bigger themes - I found it alluring and intriguing. Zillah has the power to draw the reader in, keep you gripped, begging for more and then, with a last minute, unexpected twist, rip the rug from under you - she is truly a literary marvel. I would suggest its themes and for these to be fully understood, The Song Walker is most suitable for UKS2 children, however the narrative would certainly bring pleasure to younger readers too.

Zillah Bethell has near superhero status amongst my grandchildren and this was another great hit with them all. They loved the previous book, the shark caller, and I am informed by them that this is just as marvellous (some thought better) as that book. An all around hit in this house.

The Song Walker
By Zillah Bethell
Published by Usborne Publishing

The Song Walker is a beautiful new story, full of friendship, self-discovery and courage from Zillah Bethell, author of The Shark Caller.

"There are three questions that I need to find the answers to:
Where am I?
What am I doing here?
And... Who am I?"

When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the Australian Outback, wearing one shoe, a silky black dress, and is suffering from memory loss, things are intriguing from the start! And she's carrying a strange, heavy case, that blisters her hands and bruises her legs as she walks and runs from danger!

Then she meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest of her own. Together, they trek across the vast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers. Except both are hiding secrets...from themselves and each other.

And so throughout this epic journey, their similarities and differences are unveiled through mirages, flashbacks and discussion. Cleverly written with a heart felt love of music and friendship, Zillah Bethell enables both girls to be successful in finding their true identity, via spirituality and loss.

Pick yourself up a copy of this superb second adventure by Zillah Bethell to discover how strength, determination and trust overcome loss, fear and danger. A truly moving and emotional read.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of children’s literature.

#Netgallery
#usborepublishing
#zillahbethell

A blistering story of friendship, bravery, survival, and stepping into the future. Zillah has written this story set in the Australian outback with such vivid descriptions that you feel the heat, thirst, and pain of every bare-footed step right from the beginning (the opening blew me away). From the outset, I was fully immersed in the journey undertaken by the main character as she weaved her way along the songlines of the outback. young girl wakes up with no memory of who she is or why she is there. This raises a lot of thought in the reader about identity and how much of your sense of self comes from your history and understanding of it. Tenderly told, the development of the friendship between Tarni and our mysterious main character is touching and central to the story as the background of both characters are explored and delved into by each other. I don't want to reveal a lot more as so much of this story deserves to be discovered as it is read, not through any plot-spoilers in a review!

I have never read a book set in the Australian outback nor have I visited there, this meant that The Song Walker was full intrigue and wonder for me as learnt so much about the beliefs of the First People of Australia and their history as well as what this place is like geographically. I will definitely be adding this story to our school library and recommending it to colleagues to share with their classes.

Where am I?

What am I doing here?

Who am I?

When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She’s wearing one shoe, a black dress, and she is carrying a strange, heavy case.

She meets Tarni, who is on a quest of her own. Together, the two girls trek across the vast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers. Except both are also hiding secrets…

The Song Walker is a book to experience, to search inside for truth and identity alongside this lost girl in a challenging landscape. Discovering and remembering with this mysterious character with a forgotten back-story allows the reader to look inside themselves for their own story – their own song.

Life is a composition and memories the notes that build up our unique melodies. Without them, the girl has nothing – or does she actually have everything? The music of her life has left her, allowing her to start again and determine what is truly important to her.

As she travels with Tarni, she discovers the importance of another type of song – the traditional Australian First Country songs that act as road maps for Tarni’s people. She knows where to go and how to survive because of the songs that have been passed on to her by her wise ancestors. There is so much value in these traditions and in this culture that is not recognised by the wider world. Tarni sees it in the imbalance of power between herself and the white community as well as in the importance put on the life of a white girl but not on that of a First Country girl. Zillah Bethell weaves this powerful message of equality, empathy and challenge into the threads of the story as the two girls build a relationship and come to rely on each other in different ways.

Above all, identity is key to this story. Who is this lost girl? What is her name? Every name has a meaning and as she embarks on an incredible journey, she learns more about who she is through the names Tarni gives her. Not only does she need to find her family and her home, but she needs to find herself.

Intense and so intriguing, The Song Walker is a book like no other. Spirituality and questions of existence run through it with a maturity that will challenge young readers. They will come away from it stronger in themselves, more compassionate towards others and thinking deeply about who they really are.

I love to travel in the books I read… and I have never read a book before filled with narrative from the perspective of the First Country people of Australia. The landscape, wildlife and plants of the bush, almost feel alien to my own lived experience of the European countryside. It is totally fascinating.

This aside, Bethel has, after the success of the award-winning ‘The Shark Caller’, once again written the most incredible story, surprising me actually as I hadn’t expected a plot like this to come along. Nothing about it at all is either predictable, or done before. So satisfying. The ending is jaw-droppingly clever.

A city girl wakes up lying under the scorching sun in the red dusty outback. She’s injured, wearing a black dress and it becomes clear that she cannot remember who she is or how she got there. Survival skills = 0. Tarni is a First Country Australian from the Alyawarre community of the Northern Territory. Tarni happens upon the girl sleeping and saves her from a snake attack. The girl from the city and the girl from the outback.

Together they walk through the unknown - Tarni desperately trying to find her sister, the city girl trying to find out who she is. All measurement of time disappears. There are no phones, running water, shops, doctors, police. Life is raw. Tarni is relied upon for everything: hunting food, finding water, making clothing, healing, using her ancestral songs to travel the land, stories of the spirits. Occasionally the girls encounter others in the outback, from dangerous poachers to the spectacular Debonaire - all exciting and adrenaline fuelled interludes.

The city girl’s memories tumble into her consciousness gradually, she is a mystery unto herself the more she remembers, as the girl she is becoming with Tarni is less the stranger than her true self.

A spiritual story filled with secrets of the heart, and an ingenious mystery to solve. An unbreakable bond between two new friends from such different walks of life. This book is ‘deadly’!! I loved it!!

This epic journey across the outback of Australia with Tarni and Tidda is another beauty from Zillah Bethell.
Zillah weaves the developing friendship and self awareness of these two strangers with scenery of the outback and with gentle explanation of the cultural beliefs of First Country Australians.

A tale about honesty, truth, self awareness and hope. Racial inequality and people’s perceptions of others are made explicit in this book which does. It shy away from these uncomfortable truths.
Many thanks to Zillah Bethell, Usbourne Books and #NegGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review

I usually write up a short summary of the story but I won't this time because 1) I don't think I could do it justice and 2) I think readers need to just dive into it and discover... It actually took me a while to start writing my review as I didn't feel I could put into words just how extraordinary this story is. Someone was saying recently how important children's books are because they leave a huge impression on a young mind - everything is a discovery, everything is mind-opening and exciting. As adults, it's not as common to get such a deep reading experience as we do when we are children but The Song Walker does give you this. It's truly one of the most amazing books I have read this year and one of the most amazing books I have ever read.
The characters are deeply attaching and absolutely fascinating. The whole story's pace is very unique and all at once slow/steady and a page turner. The setting is breath taking. The plot is the most gripping ever and the twists are min bending. It is, in short, a wild and unforgettable ride.

Another beautiful story with enough mystery and adventure to keep you turning the pages. A young girl finds herself mysteriously in the Australian outback with no memories and no idea how to survive. She is fortunate to stumble across Tarni, a native to the land, who is also on her own, trying to follow and find her sister. Together with the injured bird Candelabra, the girls embark on a journey of self-discovery through the outback. It’s a story about belonging, about identity and survival, and the ending is utterly brilliant.

Zillah Bethell has such a talent for telling stories that have you absolutely hooked from the first page. Waking up in the australian desert not knowing her name, how she has got there and why, the main character meets Tarni. Together they set out on a journey of friendship and self discovery with the background of First country Australians and traditions. A truly wonderful story and one that I will definitely return to read again