It’s not eggsactly easy being Jimmy Baxter ’cause:
- The real Jimmy’s hiding inside
- Ned Kelly’s giving him the evil eye
- Mum’s stopped going to work and stays in bed
- There’s no eggs in the fridge – or anything else
AND there’s new jobs, bad-at-school brains and a whole lot of trouble called Duke.
But then… there’s Mac.
Being Jimmy Baxter is the debut novel of fellow Central Coast kidlit writer, Fiona Lloyd, and it tells the tale of Jimmy, a six-grader in the early 1990s who must grow up faster than any kid should. What Jimmy first thinks will be a holiday for him and his mum is actually an escape from a violent father and husband, and Jimmy must learn to deal with a new school and community – and a new last name.
Grappling with his new reality, things get worse when Jimmy’s beloved mum sinks into depression and won’t leave her bedroom. However, Jimmy’s grit, imagination, and love for her never wavers, even when the pantry is bare and life seems at its darkest. And with the help of his ‘brain notes’, his innate ability to see the ‘shiny’ side of things, and the support he receives from unlikely friendships, the future becomes brighter.
This story covers heavy topics such as domestic violence and mental health, and as someone with lived experience of childhood domestic violence, this story packed a personal emotional punch. While reading, I couldn’t help but revisit my own dark memories, but was also reminded of my resilience as a kid (and like Jimmy, the use of imagination played a big role in that).
I hope young readers of this book who are fortunate enough not to experience any of the adversities Jimmy faces, will find compassion and form a greater understanding of those who do.
Being Jimmy Baxter is a gently funny yet emotional read, and one that will stay with me for some time.
Rebecca J. Chaney 