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Ecowarriors #2
Rock Steady
Samantha Steadman, and her best friends smart-mouthed Jessie Delaney and politician s daughter Nomusa Gule, are back at boarding school, in grade 9, and they are up against a whole new set of challenges.Their creepy new Science teacher the Poison Dwarf - takes delight in tormenting Sam, and she s started counting and checking everything in a way that has her friends worried about her sanity. Add to that Sam s determination to uncover and stop the illegal trade in San rock art, a blossoming new romance (or two), and a dangerous survival competition in the mountains which will endanger the trio s lives, and Sam will need all her wits and courage to stand steady. Together they will need to find the strength to cope, and the hope that comes from knowing that individuals can make a difference.The book is aimed primarily at middle-school children, between the ages of 9 and 14 years. Girls are the chief protagonists in the story, so presumably it would mostly attract female readers, but the story is not very girly . The girls are strong characters who do their own rescuing and make a real difference in the world.
- GenresYoung Adult
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2013
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Macgregor
16 books200 followersWhen not writing, Joanne Macgregor is a counselling psychologist in private practice where she works mainly with victims of crime and trauma.
Although she lives in the frenetic adrenaline-rush of the big city, Joanne has always been in love with nature, and escapes into the wilds whenever she can. She's a Harry Potter fanatic, bakes the best choc-chip cookies on the planet, and is addicted to chilies and bulletproof coffee.
She started her professional life as a high school English teacher and loves writing about, and for, teens. She is the author of several books for Young Adults - Scarred, Recoil, Refuse, Rebel, Hushed and The law of Tall Girls.
Although she lives in the frenetic adrenaline-rush of the big city, Joanne has always been in love with nature, and escapes into the wilds whenever she can. She's a Harry Potter fanatic, bakes the best choc-chip cookies on the planet, and is addicted to chilies and bulletproof coffee.
She started her professional life as a high school English teacher and loves writing about, and for, teens. She is the author of several books for Young Adults - Scarred, Recoil, Refuse, Rebel, Hushed and The law of Tall Girls.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 18, 2019
Rock Steady is the second book in Joanne Macgregor’s Ecowarriors series. After reading and enjoying Turtle Walk, I was desperate to see what came next for the series. I had high expectations for both Rock Steady and Fault Lines, and had those expectations met with this second book.
In truth, I was a wee bit tentative at the start of Rock Steady. I was certainly enjoying it, but I was not enjoying it quite as much as I enjoyed Turtle Walk. A lot happens throughout this one and I was unsure if one aspect of it would stand out by the end or if it would be an equal level of simply enjoying it all. Fortunately, something did stand out. When this happened, I found I enjoyed this one more than Turtle Walk.
With Rock Steady, we’re given another wonderful message whilst being educated. There is plenty to learn with this one, but it’s done so in a manner that makes the book gripping. You’re pulled deep into the story, the action has you powering through the pages, and by the end of it you’ll be more than ready for Fault Lines.
Without a doubt, Joanne Macgregor continues to offer stories that hook me. With Rock Steady, I’ve now increased my expectations for Fault Line even more – and I one hundred percent believe Joanne Macgregor will amaze me once more.
In truth, I was a wee bit tentative at the start of Rock Steady. I was certainly enjoying it, but I was not enjoying it quite as much as I enjoyed Turtle Walk. A lot happens throughout this one and I was unsure if one aspect of it would stand out by the end or if it would be an equal level of simply enjoying it all. Fortunately, something did stand out. When this happened, I found I enjoyed this one more than Turtle Walk.
With Rock Steady, we’re given another wonderful message whilst being educated. There is plenty to learn with this one, but it’s done so in a manner that makes the book gripping. You’re pulled deep into the story, the action has you powering through the pages, and by the end of it you’ll be more than ready for Fault Lines.
Without a doubt, Joanne Macgregor continues to offer stories that hook me. With Rock Steady, I’ve now increased my expectations for Fault Line even more – and I one hundred percent believe Joanne Macgregor will amaze me once more.
September 17, 2015
Even though this is book two in what appears to be a series dealing with the adventures of friends who attend an exclusive girls’ boarding school up in the Drakensberg, Rock Steady can be read as a standalone adventure. From the get go, I must add that Joanne drew me into the story, told from the point of view of Samantha, who is attending Clifford House Private School for Girls on a scholarship. It goes without saying that she’s under a fair amount of pressure to perform academically, so when they get a new – and aptly named – maths and science teacher Mr Delmonico, that things begin to become unpleasant.
Sam, Jessie and Nomusa navigate their Grade 9 year with all the usual trials and tribulations – sports events, school outings, boys, bullies and dances – and the banter between the three friends comes off incredibly refreshing and natural. It’s not often that an author manages to express the sheer energy of teenagers, but Joanne totally convinced me that she’s secretly a teenager herself.
The main narrative arc in this story isn’t so much the girls’ school year, however, but also how the three friends get tangled in the doings of a nefarious gang of thieves intent on plundering South Africa’s cultural heritage. For those who don’t know, the Drakensberg is a region in South Africa that has some of the highest concentrations of ancient rock art, which not only faces natural threats thanks to gradual (and totally natural) environmental erosion, but also suffers thanks to human agents who deface or attempt to steal it.
Joanne deftly weaves in the main plot with the secondary plots in a way that doesn’t feel forced. She drops hints throughout that savvy readers may pick up on so that when the final confrontation occurs, it’s not completely left of field. Joanne’s teens are bubbly, sensitive and are possessed of a lively curiosity and sense of fun, who worry about their schoolwork, about boys, about issues at home. They feel real. Too often I’ve read YA fiction where the teens’ world seems to vanish into a boy-induced solipsist nightmare, where everything just revolves around the boy. Um, hello, teens do have genuine interests beyond boys (even if boys do feature quite high up on the menu, so to speak).
All in all, this is a fun read that I’ll happily recommend to anyone who’s got a bookish kidlet from the age of ten and older. Yes, there is – *gasp* – a kiss, but the romance elements are slight. The story focuses on the eventual altercation with rock art thieves and also weaves in a fair deal of cultural history related to the rock art without being heavy handed about it. Joanne’s writing gets a big thumbs up from yours truly for South African youth literature.
Sam, Jessie and Nomusa navigate their Grade 9 year with all the usual trials and tribulations – sports events, school outings, boys, bullies and dances – and the banter between the three friends comes off incredibly refreshing and natural. It’s not often that an author manages to express the sheer energy of teenagers, but Joanne totally convinced me that she’s secretly a teenager herself.
The main narrative arc in this story isn’t so much the girls’ school year, however, but also how the three friends get tangled in the doings of a nefarious gang of thieves intent on plundering South Africa’s cultural heritage. For those who don’t know, the Drakensberg is a region in South Africa that has some of the highest concentrations of ancient rock art, which not only faces natural threats thanks to gradual (and totally natural) environmental erosion, but also suffers thanks to human agents who deface or attempt to steal it.
Joanne deftly weaves in the main plot with the secondary plots in a way that doesn’t feel forced. She drops hints throughout that savvy readers may pick up on so that when the final confrontation occurs, it’s not completely left of field. Joanne’s teens are bubbly, sensitive and are possessed of a lively curiosity and sense of fun, who worry about their schoolwork, about boys, about issues at home. They feel real. Too often I’ve read YA fiction where the teens’ world seems to vanish into a boy-induced solipsist nightmare, where everything just revolves around the boy. Um, hello, teens do have genuine interests beyond boys (even if boys do feature quite high up on the menu, so to speak).
All in all, this is a fun read that I’ll happily recommend to anyone who’s got a bookish kidlet from the age of ten and older. Yes, there is – *gasp* – a kiss, but the romance elements are slight. The story focuses on the eventual altercation with rock art thieves and also weaves in a fair deal of cultural history related to the rock art without being heavy handed about it. Joanne’s writing gets a big thumbs up from yours truly for South African youth literature.
December 12, 2019
This is a highly enjoyable read in and of itself as well as being a lovely follow up to Turtle Walk. On the one hand, the three main protagonists in the book are every inch ordinary schoolgirls who have to deal with the day-to-day problems of bad teachers and difficult family lives.
On the other hand, they embody the ecowarrior that we should all aspire to be, not only in their passion about preserving and protecting a country's natural and cultural heritage but also in their willingness to take action, ingenuity and willingness to go on the line for what they believe in.
A few scenes and exchanges in this book had me smiling and laughing for the joy of reading. The girls' romantic plots were age appropriate, sweet and amusing, and exactly what one would desire and expect from a book like this.
As was the case in Turtle Walk before it, Joanne Macgregor's description of the natural environment was beautiful in its vividness and attention to detail.
I would highly recommend this book. A very well executed, fun read.
On the other hand, they embody the ecowarrior that we should all aspire to be, not only in their passion about preserving and protecting a country's natural and cultural heritage but also in their willingness to take action, ingenuity and willingness to go on the line for what they believe in.
A few scenes and exchanges in this book had me smiling and laughing for the joy of reading. The girls' romantic plots were age appropriate, sweet and amusing, and exactly what one would desire and expect from a book like this.
As was the case in Turtle Walk before it, Joanne Macgregor's description of the natural environment was beautiful in its vividness and attention to detail.
I would highly recommend this book. A very well executed, fun read.
November 19, 2019
Hey moms and dads, if you’re like me you like to know something about the books your precious children are reading. Well rest assured, Rock Steady (the sequel to Turtle Walk) by Joanne Macgregor is age appropriate – there is no swearing or blasphemy, nothing of a sexual nature other than a few kisses. The story picks up with Sam and her two friends returning to Clifford House for grade 9 (second year of high school). Their adventures continue as they discover the beauty that is captured by the San bushmen in their rock art paintings; and encounter first-hand the effects of international art theft on this South African heritage. The girls also encounter struggles with teachers, bullies and – of course – high school romance. This book is best read after Turtle Walk, but can be read as a stand-alone.
I’m a huge fan of Joanne’s adult and young adult literature, and so I thought I’d try out some of her work directed at younger readers. I was not disappointed; the writing is of the same high calibre that I am used to in her other genres.
I’m a huge fan of Joanne’s adult and young adult literature, and so I thought I’d try out some of her work directed at younger readers. I was not disappointed; the writing is of the same high calibre that I am used to in her other genres.
November 9, 2019
The second book in the Ecowarriors series was quite funny aside from dreadful moments in the lives of our three girls of course. Sam, Jessie and Nomusa are back at their private school for girls. But instead of feeling more confident as a second year student, they have to battle against a really evil teacher. Mr Delmonico made me so mad, unbelievable how he could get in such a representative position. And it shows how quick a smart and hard working girl can be ruined by a teacher who is supposed to support and help.
It's good to see that Sam found a way out of her misery but as a parent I would have wished that at least one of the pupils would have got her parents involved, showing that they trust them with what bothers them.
Anyway, this book was a bit faster paced, with funny conversations, tender romance and again with some strong messages about standing up for yourself and your believes. Can't wait for book 3!
It's good to see that Sam found a way out of her misery but as a parent I would have wished that at least one of the pupils would have got her parents involved, showing that they trust them with what bothers them.
Anyway, this book was a bit faster paced, with funny conversations, tender romance and again with some strong messages about standing up for yourself and your believes. Can't wait for book 3!
December 5, 2019
Rock Steady sees our fabulous ecowarriors back in action. Apart from managing teenage problems – exploring their identities, that sweet agony of first love, bullying, body image – they still manage to fit in social activism. As before, the issue is cleverly tied in with their school projects and we learn all about the subject along with them, this time the illegal trade in San rock art. The clever dialogue is also amusing and real teen speak. Each particular gift is used to help the cause – Jessie’s art, Nomusa’s running and Samantha’s brain. A most enjoyable and action packed read for all.
June 12, 2015
Adventure, some clever online detective work, a couple of burgeoning romances, and school issues, all with a great environmental message, from a star South African YA author.
Samantha and the gang from Turtle Walk are back, a little older, and this time it's our rock art heritage that is under threat.
Highly enjoyable with a good plot and high-tension climax.
More seriously, it offers an accurate picture of anxiety and how it can create its own relentless cycle of failure and fear - the teacher responsible for Sam's stress and increasingly OC behaviour is chillingly believable, a vile little man.
Samantha and the gang from Turtle Walk are back, a little older, and this time it's our rock art heritage that is under threat.
Highly enjoyable with a good plot and high-tension climax.
More seriously, it offers an accurate picture of anxiety and how it can create its own relentless cycle of failure and fear - the teacher responsible for Sam's stress and increasingly OC behaviour is chillingly believable, a vile little man.
January 29, 2015
Sequel to Turtle Walk, just as enjoyable! I loved the Drakensberg descriptions, having walked just where the girls go, been to the caves so I can picture it all as I read it. The demon teacher gave me the shivers, and the underplayed beginnings of self harm/OCD that Sam displays are well handled, just enough of a message without preaching.
November 25, 2019
The eco-warriors are at it again. This time they go into the Drakensberg to protect the San's rock art. This story is full of fun and adventure. I would definitely suggest this book for middle-grade children.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews