Being Jimmy Baxter

Being Jimmy Baxter

by Fiona Lloyd

Published by Penguin Australia
ISBN 97817601485153

Jimmy Baxter has so much going on, especially his thoughts in this gentle story for middle grade readers, There is always so much to think about.

Jimmy and his mum are on adventure, running away, they've left their home, to make a change and make things better.

They get on well together, but he isn't keen on going to school, but his mum insists, as she tells him, it' the law. He says he hasn't got school-brains, he has got real life brains.

This is an easy to read, well-written heartwarming story as he finds the real Jimmy hiding inside. Things don't always go they way they should, they he expected they would. There is a problem when his mum stopped going to work and she is just laying in bed and there are no eggs in the fridge.

Ned Kelly is in his class and giving him the evil eye. His mum is tired and he thinks it must the 'flu or something so he makes sandwiches to take with him to his friend - what a combination of cheese and peanut butter with crushed chips in the middle. It's not surprising this friend looks sat them like they're dog droppings.

Creative, thoughtful, delightful and getting to the heart of Jimmy, this a good story with situations that may make readers think about different situations.

The Authors

Fiona Lloyd was born in the beautiful North-East of England near picturesque countryside, windswept beaches and the vibrant cultural city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She dreamed of writing in a cosy country cottage and of life as a theatre actress but, as it often does, life got in the way.

Working and travelling instead, Fiona floated in the Dead Sea, climbed the Sydney Harbour bridge, gave guided tours in Holland and fell in love with all things Greek during her two years in Athens and Skiathos. Her most special travel experience was in Myanmar where she visited the place where her Granny was born.

Amongst her myriad of interesting jobs, Fiona worked as a television colourist on Home & Away, This is Greece and Secrets of Britain’s Great Cathedrals. She has works in several anthologies for children, is a role model for Books in Homes, coach with the Harding Miller Education Foundation and Schools Program Coordinator for the Words on the Waves Writers Festival.