Out of Tune

by Joanna Orwin

Jasmine is out to shock. Electric clothes, electric hair, wired behaviour: anything to get approval from the cool kids at school - and admit it, Jaz - to force her parents to take notice. Preoccupied with their own problems, her parents can't see how Jaz's desire to fit in is spinning her out over the edge. Sometimes - hard to confess to her new friends - the only real support Jaz gets is from Gi-Gi, her great-grandmother. You might say Gi-Gi has a kind of sixth sense. She's given Jaz a diary of their ancestor Maggie, to read aloud during their weekly visits. Maggie, at the same age as Jaz, had to migrate from the Shetland Islands with her family. Where to? Nineteenth-century Stewart Island - a wild, lonely, brutal place, that tested Maggie's spirit sorley. Her diary seems to speak directly to Jaz with dazzling clarity.

Genres: Young Adult

264 pages, Chaptered, Paperback.

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Joanna Orwin is a writer of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Many of her books have been shortlisted for or have won awards, including Children's Book of the Year in 1985 and the Senior Fiction category of the New Zealand Post Book awards for Children and Young Adults in 2002. She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. You can find out more about her on her website at https://www.joannaorwin.com.

Reviews

[Jill Mccaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy read. While set in NZ this book should resonate with any teenager grappling with friends, family and finding themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed both threads of the story, the modern Jaz, her parents who were loosing it and her, uncool, but so important, relationship with her beloved great Grandmother, and the second thread of Maggie, the young woman trying to make her life in colonial Stewart Island. I learnt some history and had a good time in doing so.

[Eileemackinnon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Out of Tune

This was another book that was read as a class, I was however interested to hear the author was from New Zealand. My opinion on this story isn't of high recommendation as I found myself bored and confused throughout the whole book. I think that is because the writing style wasn't something I was use to nor interested in. However as the story is written from two points of views I found it easier to relate to the teenage character rather than the older figure in the book.
I would recommend this book to people aged 15+ or anyone interested in New Zealand early settler history. Overall I gave Joanna Orwin's Out of Tune a 2/5 rating

[Beka Cattell · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought this book was okay but i dont think i would recommend it for people in my age group. some parts were hard to comprehend and were quite confusing. i think an adult would enjoy this book although it may be good for some teenagers. the start was hard for me to understand but got better thoughout the novel. overall i think it would be a good read for people agd 20-25.

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, following Jaz as she 'grows' up.