New
Zealand
36
Jones, V. M.
Juggling with mandarins
Auckland : HarperCollins, 2003. – 255 p.
ISBN 1-86950-462-3
Father – Son – Expectations – Disappointment – Ambition –
Climbing
In her second children’s novel, the award-winning author carefully portrays
a young boy’s struggle against the overpowering influence of his ambitious
father. The first-person narrator Pip (named after a Charles Dickens character
by his mother) knows he is different from his older brother Nick, an ace
footballer. As much as Pip would like to win his father’s respect, he abhors
his competitive attitude towards sport. This summer, the quiet boy sets
himself a new goal: He learns how to juggle. With great determination, he
manages to juggle not only a few mandarins but also, metaphorically, his
emotions, relationships, and life’s ups and downs. In the end, he also finds
the strength to confront and make peace with his father. (11+)