One Way Ticket - The untold story of the Bali 9

by Madonna King and Cindy Wockner

Reviewed by Matthew of Year 11

Are the Bali 9 drug mules or are they humans like me or you?

One Way Ticket is the real story behind the Bali 9’s lives and what events lead up to their arrest. It also shows insight into what the families had to cope with through the arrests of their beloved ones. This book tells us what happens throughout the court cases in which sentences were handed down. Indonesia is a major drug port or a trafficking area in which drugs that pass through the country are headed towards Australia.

One Way Ticket is a great read and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know the real truth behind the faces of the Bali 9.

For more information about the questions raised by the Bali Nine case see the Four Corners website: Big Fish, Little Fish

The Story of Tom Brennan

by J. C. Burke

2006 Winner CBCA Award - Older readers

Tom Brennan is 17 and was the hero of the rugby team at his school before the accident. Now he is repeating Year 11 in a new town, having to face his old team on the field, and coping badly with visiting his brother in gaol and his cousin in hospital.

In a small community the waves that reverberate from a fatal crash caused by one of their own seem to go on forever. What of the family of the drunken driver? In this story they find that leaving town is the only way out. Even then each must come to terms in their own way.

This is a powerfully told story with all the more impact because any one of us might one day be in the situation that faces the Brennans. You can’t go back and as Tom finds, you can’t just forget. The only way is forward.

The relationship between Tom and his brother Daniel is very important in Burke's book. Their cousin, Fin, was also like a brother to them, and their mother's brother was close to Daniel and helped Tom come to terms with circumstances.

Other excellent books about brothers include:
Flash Jack by Maureen McCarthy
Fighting Ruben Wolf, The Underdog and When Dogs Cry, all by Markus Zusak
Lost Property by James Moloney

...and don't forget sisters:
The Red Shoe by Ursula Dubosarsky
Dead Girls Don't Write Letters by Gail Giles
Missing You, Love Sara by Jackie French

Have you read any of these books? Well why not? We would love to publish your review of any of these titles, or one of your own choice. Send to the address above or just add to "comments" below.