Title : Review: Running in Circles - Shivaun Plozza
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Review: Running in Circles - Shivaun Plozza
And I often repeat Tolkien’s theory from the Cauldron of
Story (On
Fairy Tales) and realise each writer will come up with their own flavours
of common tropes. But it still takes me by surprise when close similarities are
repeated, until the next trend comes along. This is another of this year's middle grade novels where an absent parent (either death or just absence) is a pivotal plot point.
I really enjoyed this take because it reflects a common enough situation – abandonment by a parent – but with a twist, because it’s not the father who has abrogated responsibility for family but the mother. That may sound sexist and it’s not meant to be. It’s just that we often get narratives where a father is absent and a mum is left to cope with raising children and making a living etc – and not as often the reverse.
12-year-old Dell is a budding climate scientist. She
understands the weather and its patterns inside out, she values facts and
researches to learn more. So when crop circles suddenly appear in Tully, she
knows they are bunkum, and there is an explanation that does not involve
aliens.
But her mother, absent for years, is an extraterrestrial
nutter and has come back to town full of her theories with an associate who
appears to be well shifty, and tries to completely disrupt Dell’s family all
over again.
After the mother’s long disappearance, Dell’s dad has cared
for his four daughters with all due diligence, and there’s always his mother
and step-father not far to also lend a hand. But even he is a bit dazzled by
his flamboyant wife’s reappearance.
It seems to Dell that she’s the only one who sees through
her mother’s same old tactics – charm everyone, get her own way, make herself
important, and then choof off again without the slightest care for her own
daughters or the hurt she’s caused their father.
Dell is determined to prove that the crop circles are a hoax
but with the rising hysteria over the projected return of the ‘visitors’ it’s
almost an impossible battle. But science and truth is on her side and finally
Dell – along with everyone else -realises that the whole shebang is a
farce. The mother waltzes off again, dodging the facts, and once again
leaving a trail of emotional upset behind her.
There is a lot to consider in this one with themes on
conspiracy theories, science vs tinfoil-hatters (ok, UFOlogists if you will),
family, truth, self-belief and regard for others. I loved that it’s a
Queensland setting of course and think this would make a fabulous serial read
especially for Qlder kids to know a little more about a place that’s a long way
off from our most populated areas.
Dell is a really likeable character. She may be stubborn in her beliefs, and probably too outspoken to be considered polite or tactful, but she’s honest – and if that’s brutally honest, well frankly her mother deserves it. If you’re looking for a top read for your astute MG kids from around Year 4 try this one out.
Author: Shivaun Plozza
Publisher: UQP, $17.99
Publication Date: April 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780702271045
For ages: 10+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
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