The Carnegies

An emotional story set in the Australian outback, based on an unlikely friendship based on trust, spanning different cultures, beliefs and traditions. Waking up in the middle of the outback , not knowing who she is and wearing only one shoe! She meets Tarni a first country girl, gradually, her memories return unfolding a plot of mystery. Why is she carrying a locked metal case? The story turns into each girl experiencing a personal journey and learning about themselves. I would recommend this book as something enlightening to read.

Mrs Warnes
Castle East Readers

A really good book, it's about this girl, and she doesn't know her name, she woke up in a place called 'the bush' and this girl named Tarni helps her, Tarni uses a song that her ancestors taught her sister who taught her, very interesting book, I would recommend to anyone who wants to read it.

Maria
Blake Student Shadowers

Catherine
Ousedale Shadow Chasers

The Song Walker was great. I really liked that she got her memory back gradually and that had a whole journey. The plot twist at the end was unexpected but amazing, it really caught me by surprise.

William
The John Mason Shadowers

Song Walker is a good book! It is about two girls trekking across the deserted Australian outback. But both girls hiding secrets. Love this book, but in some parts it was a bit slow and I got distracted a little. Other than that this book is amazing

Rhea
Bispham Bookworms

The thing that I loved most about this book is the determination that Tarni has to find her sister even though she new deep down she would never really find her, and that she grew to enjoy the company of the lost girl she finds along the way.

Aliza
Woodruffians

It's a very good book because of the plot twists and how the story lines ended up. I also liked how the girl had no memory of herself and tried to remember with this other girl who was patient and younger than her, I really liked the chase they had with the other people because it showed that she had grown a bond with her friend and wanted to protect her and i think that's very important.

sophie
Woodruffians

The Song Walker is a great book for 9+ readers and onwards. When reading this book, I never thought that a twist THAT big would be at the ending! I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to readers that love; adventure, mystery, plot twists and a lot of action.

Molly
Woodruffians

This book was a very enjoyable read. I couldn't put the book down and it was so good I read it twice! The plot to the story was one of the best I have read and the book made me think about how the girl got there! The story was written very well and I really like how it was written in parts. The story behind it was very heart-warming and it showed me that there is always someone there for me. I really recommend reading this book!

Poppy
Woodruffians

The Song walker is an excellent book, it kept me engaged with the mystery of who this mysterious girl with the metal case and missing shoe. Who is she? What happened to her? Why is she here? So many questions that kept me reading. The world building is excellent too, I really get a feel for Tarni's way of living and an understanding of Brindabell's character even though we never meet her. Excellent book, 10/10!

Zioni
Taverham High Shadowers

The book 'Song Walker' is an exceptionally amazing book including adventure and much more. It has a brilliant storyline of two girls who are trying to find their way through the Australian outback while a group of vicious people are after them.

Josh.R
Macaulay Book Club

Phoebe
Ousedale Shadow Chasers

I deeply enjoyed this book, it’s very moving and emotionally involved; it shows hope, courage and mostly friendship. A girl in terrible state in the middle of the Australian Outback meets another girl who will then become her friend as they start their brave journey out. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Lucia HG
4Shadowers

I thought that The Song Walker was great. It had interesting and believable characters and consistent questions running throughout that kept you guessing. I liked how the physical and mental journeys were closely entwined, and overall, I thought it was really really good!

Emma
PHS Reading Ambassadors

I not really a fan. The name and illustration we really caught my eye but when I started to read it I lost interest. It need more excitement to draw the audience in.

Jaspreet
Sale High Readers

The ‘Song Walker’ is a book about two girls on a journey through the Australian outback. A girl who has lost her memory from a plane crash encounters a First Country Australian girl called Tarni, who is on her own mysterious voyage. They travel on a daring adventure to uncover the truth about their past. I really love the friendship and the closeness between the two girls which helps to guide them through danger. I also loved the plot twist at the end bringing an end to the tension built up in the book. This story is about knowing who you are and that your past isn’t always your identity. Overall, I loved reading this book. If you love courageous, bold and thrilling stories, this book is definitely for you!

Nemdini
LC Best Books

This was a super good read. I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down, though I did reluctantly go to sleep. This was a beautiful way to describe the relationship between heritage and the modern world and sometimes the struggle there is to uphold traditional values. I think it also touches wonderfully on how other people can say insensitive things about cultural traditions without meaning to, and how calling them weird or odd might be offensive to someone who takes so much pride in their history. I was also surprised by the plot twist in the story and had thoughts that it was going to happen but wasn’t sure. I liked the way all the pieces fitted together and really honoured elements of the First Nation. It makes it relatable for a lot of people that feel that way in seeing Tarni and her being open about her struggles, culture, and experiences.

Miss H
Austin Book Club

Sarah
THS Shadowing

I really liked reading this book, which covered themes such as culture, tradition and identity. I loved the descriptions and metaphors, and the relationship between the characters was sweet. I did think that the main character’s worry about previously having been an unkind person, and her affection towards Tarni and others was touching – but I often got frustrated by her and Tarni’s behaviour because some of the actions they took and conflicts between them seemed really unreasonable and rather clichéd too. I also felt that the sentences were quite stop-start, in a way that when I was reading it, I felt as if there were full stops everywhere and all over the place. Another small thing is that I was constantly worrying about the violin for the rest of the book once it had been discovered; I was rather concerned about it having endured the bashing of the rocks, and even more so the combination of the heat and humidity of the great outdoors really concerned me… Regarding the ending, I’m not convinced I correctly understood it, as I got a bit confused by the whole concept of spirits walking around in the Outback; though that might have just been me! Except for that, I thought the book was a bit predictable and slightly repetitive in general, but I did think it was a very moving book and enjoyed reading it a lot! 7/10

Lei
Perse Carnegians

This book is about a girl named Tarni who is in Austrailia and meets someone from the city and goes on an adventure to find her family using survival sings and songs to find her way but slowly turning into a story of friendship I enjoyed this book as I found it easy to read and I enjoyed the inclusion of nature and wildlife

dexter
VISTA Academy

This story begins with a girl stranded in the Australian outback, wearing one shoe, a black dress, and carrying a metal box. She has no memory of who she is or how she came to be there. She is found by Tarni, a First Country girl, who is travelling to find her sister. The girls walk together, and Tarni helps the girl survive in this unforgiving landscape. They meet interesting people along the way, some of whom help and others who try and harm them. Over time the lost girl gets bits of memory coming back. As I started the book I found the girl’s lack of gratitude to Tarni annoying, but as the story develops and memories come back, she re-evaluates who she is, the friendship deepens, and they both realise what is important in life. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a good adventure story about life, friendship and a fascinating culture. I would give this book 5/5 stars.

James
Larkmead

This book was a difficult read for me as it felt like the book was ongoing and I had to stop half way as I found it very boring. I also found it very annoying how the author would just refer to her as the girl and not give her a name. At times it got a little too repetitive which is what I think put me off but if you like slow mysteries this is for you. I would rate this a 4 out of 10

Sana
Plashet School

Song Walker was the first book that I read from the shortlist and I really enjoyed it until about three quarters of the way through. The characters were enaging and I thought the idea for the story was very original but I found the ending disappointing. However the descriptions of the landsacpes and the chaging relationship between the two girls were beautifully told and I enjoyed learning more about First Country Australians through the charcater of Tarni.

JPrince
Tenbury Page Turners

The Song Walker is a mysterious tale about a girl who wakes up in the desert, with no clue as to who she is. All she knows is that she is carrying a briefcase, and that it holds some importance to her for an unknown reason. This sets the book up for a gripping tale, in which she will stumble upon new people and embark on an exciting adventure. The main thing I enjoyed about this book, was the constant urge to know what happens next. I loved how little bits of information were trickled in throughout the plot, and how the story expanded upon itself seamlessly. As well as this, the story becomes quite emotional at times, which certainly added to the experience. If I had to say one negative thing about this book, I would say that it could have done with more action. A lot of the story is just between two characters, which means there is less room for fast-paced development of the story. Overall, The Song Walker is a very good book and well worth a read despite the slight nitpicks I have. I Especially recommend it you are interested in mystery or adventure books, as it will certainly have you gripped.

Harry
OLA Shadows

The Song Walker is a good book about a girl who is stranded in the Australian outback with no memory of who she is. She meets a first country girl called Tarni they walk through the Australian outback and sing songs as they go and slowly find out who they really are. I really liked this book I enjoyed how the characters bonded and how their bond grows throughout the book I also liked how they sang songs as they walked to lead them where they were going.

Zoe
OLA Shadows

This book is set in the Australian Outback. It begins when a girl wakes up in the desert wearing a silky black dress and only one shoe. She is also carrying a bizarre metal locked case. She can't remember anything about her past including her name. She meets a girl called Tarni who is on a mysterious journey of her own and together the two girls venture across the Australian outback both in search of answers. They become close friends but soon realise that they are hiding secrets from each other. We see this when Tarni discovers the true identity of her new friend yet doesn’t tell her. I could understand that she didn’t want to because that would mean she would have to continue her quest on her own so kept it a secret but at the same time I thought that the girl should know the truth about herself. I found this book a bit slow moving but also intriguing because I wanted to find out the girl's name, who she is and where she is from. I also was interested to know what was in the locked case and why she was in the desert. I enjoyed learning about how their ancestors created songs about the things they saw on their journey to use as maps, so they could remember the route across the Australian Outback. This book didn’t really appeal to me as much as some other books, but I would be interested to hear other people's thoughts.

Florence
OLA Shadows

The Song Walker is about identity, heritage and music. In the story the narrator wakes up in the Australian outback with no memory and befriends a girl named Tarni. Together the two must cross the outback whilst both of them hide secrets. I enjoyed the book, the plot was good and I liked the Australian references, I also loved how they handled the memory loss and not pushing it aside like other books but instead using it to create a good kind of tension. The characters felt real and enjoyable and I was really interested in their character development and arks, making it a great page turner. For a book taking place in the desert the book makes it seem full of life making the descriptions of the desert the best part. I was very surprised by the ending which has a huge twist (I gasped out loud when I read it) no spoilers though. And I was happy to see a blurb that accurately reflects a story. My favourite character is definitely the narrator. I don't usually like main characters much (I'm more of a side character fan) but I found her a great protagonist and a very enjoyable character to root for. I would recommend this book to any one that is between 9 and 12 and likes adventure books with bits of mystery. However I found the ending a bit confusing (still a good ending) overall the book was really enjoyable and i had a fun time reading it and I think it certainly deserves to be in the Yoto Carnegie book list.

Archie
OLA Shadows

The Song Walker is an amazing book. When Tarni’s sister disappears, she decides to try to follow her, however when she meets a girl, wearing one shoe a, black dress and carrying a silver case, in the desert who has forgotten everything about herself. As they try to find the truth about who she is, she remembers short glimpses of her life that slowly change who she imagines she was. I enjoyed reading this book because it was extremely exciting and emotional. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.

Alex
OLA Shadows

This book is very enjoyable, it explores self-discovery and how the protagonist discovers their own identity in the Australian Outback. This is because It allows the reader to learn about the character, as the character learns about themselves. It means that no detail about the main character is left undiscovered or unknown to the reader. Due to this it means that the reader is able to develop a good relationship with the character and it allows them to sympathise to the situation the character is in.

Mariella
SJB Book Club

The Song Walker is a story of a journey that is both physical and emotional. A mysterious girl wakes up in the harsh conditions of the outback which may have proved fatal had Tarni not come to the rescue. As the girls journey Tarni helps the girl but in the end it turns to the girl helping Tarni. The Song Walker is a book full of mystery and suspension. Zillah Bethell keeps the readers guessing and wondering the whole way through. From the first page the excitement is built when the girl cannot remember anything about herself or her life at all. As readers you feel as if you are on the journey with the girls through the harsh but wondrous Australian Outback and that you too are facing the challenges with them. The book overall has a powerful message of discovery and resilience that readers feel throughout the whole journey. I really liked the ending as it is clever and very surprising and comes as a complete shock that is welcome at the end of an amazing journey. I would recommend this to any readers that are ready for a journey.

Heidi
Glossopdale Readers

I absolutely loved this book! It was a mixture of surviving in the wild and lots of friendship. I would highly recommend this book. Definitely this is my favorite book out of them all.

Lily
Chippy Chapters

The Song Walker is a brilliant, beautiful book, full of self-discovery. I loved this book as it shows a friendship wax and wane, with raw emotion that encaptivates a reader like me. The antagonist Sienna, who has lost her memory, is known by many names throughout the story with each representing her true self in different ways. Tarni, the second antagonist, comforts Sienna, even though Sienna is afraid of what she might uncover about herself as she learns who she is. I recommend this book to anyone ready for a heartfelt adventure that is hard to forget.

Annalise
Reading Heroes

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethel, follows the story of a young girl stranded in the desert in Australia. She struggles to remember who she is and how she got there when she eventually finds a little girl who helps her discover who she is. I think it would be a good read for people who enjoy to be kept on edge as just when I thought I knew what would happen, a large plot twist occurred and changed my whole view on the book. I really enjoyed this book, and felt a deep connection with the characters as the writing and description used allowed me to really feel their emotions as though I was them. My favorite character was probably Tarni as I admired her dedication and perseverance.

Mikaila
LC Best Books

Louise
Book Busters

"The Song Walker" by Zillah Bethell is an adventurous and heartfelt story about a girl who finds herself lost in the Australian desert. Along her journey, she discovers the power of music, friendship, and self-discovery. The book is beautifully written, with vivid descriptions and a compelling plot, making it an engaging read for young readers who love adventure and emotional journeys. It is also a very engaging and interesting choice of event layout which I enjoyed reading.

Nastazja
St Augustine’s Challenge

It is an amazing book about a girl who has lost her memory after being in a plane crash and meets a another girl who lives in the Australian bush and they travel together as she remembers her past

Max
St Kaths

I really enjoyed this book. It was amazing to track the two girls throughout their journey and shows what damage humans can cause to the land in such a short space of time when it has been there for thousands of years. It also shows the power of love and friendship which is a key message in this book.

Emily
Lionheart24

The Song Walker is a book based on a girl who finds herself in the middle of the desert with only one shoe and a case in her hand. She meets Tarni, who is on her own journey in this land of nowhere. As they travel together and become closer, they find out more about each other and their secrets. What I liked about this book is how they find their way through singing, it seems very complicated to remember all the lyrics of a song just to get somewhere. I think Tarni would probably be my favourite character as she seems very young but very smart and strong. I would probably recommend this book to those 9+ as there are some scenes that might not be suitable for younger years. I would rate this book a 6/10.

Esi
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I really loved this book because you read the whole story then at the end everything you've read turns upside down and you're left feeling in awe and astonishment.

Juvanita
The John Mason Shadowers

This book shows just how scary it must be to lose your memory of everything, of where you came from, who you are and how you got there. This book shows a great journey with Sienna and Tarni soon becoming best friends who help each other out as much as they can. At the end all of the confusion and panic slots into place after realising Sienna is a spirit walker. I was not expecting Tarni's sister to die, for me that was the biggest plot twist but overall, this has been my favourite book. I rate this book 8/10.

Sophie
Perse Carnegians

Hannah
The Fitzharrys Shadows

Song Walker follows the journey of a girl who is holding a case lost in the outback with amnesia. She is picked up by first country Australian girl called Tarni who teaches her and helps her to survive as songs guide them forward through all of the dangers and beauties of the outback. Later they find that the case contains a Stradivarius violin. As the girls continue their journey with the help of the songs made by the ancestors, Tarni discovers the identity of her companion to be a world class young violin player and the Stradivarius in her case finally makes sense. During the journey, Tarni explains that she is here searching for here sister who disappeared. The story has many interesting themes and covers ancestral memory in way that the reader can really understand it in an easy way.

Isaac
Perse Carnegians

The Song Walker is story of two girls on a mission to find what's most important to them. In this breath-taking and courageous journey, the two girls find their true identity and gain a beautiful friendship. As they wander across the desert, they fight, face dangerous things together and build a strong relationship. Tarni, a first country Australian, and a young girl who has lost her memory meet in the middle of desert. They start their adventure together and open up to each other. This is a story full of friendship and heart-stopping, dangerous situations. It shows the darkest side of human nature, the diminution of humans compared to nature, and the warmth given by people you love and who love you. I really appreciate their courage, determination and dreams. Their journey is remarkable, inspiring and unforgettable. One of the good things about this book is the way the writer projects real life within the story showing the confusion we face while we grow up. I would recommend this book to middle grade readers as both the main characters are 13 years old. The problems that the protagonists face are also the problems that teenagers face. The exciting adventures, challenges and their effect on mental and physical wellbeing really are very inspiring. My favorite part of this book is how the friendship helps the girl bring back her memory, which is very touching. I am jealous of the bond between the two girls, how they open up to one another and help each other through the troubles. The way the writer added culture in the setting makes the story closer to reality. If you are a reader who also feels confused about your identity in life - like the protagonist - you should definitely read this book!

Carrie
LC Best Books

The Song Walker is a beautiful book which explores topics of friendship, culture and memory loss. As a girl travels across the outback trying to find herself again. She meets Tarni, who is on a journey of her own, and as they travel, secrets are revealed that leave the girl questioning who she is and who she wants to be.

Josie
Bispham Bookworms

A wonderful story full of mystery and intrigue. Set in the Australian outback and featuring two girls who are both on very different journey's of discovery. I enjoyed seeing how the relationship between them developed over the course of the story and the plot twist at the end was totally unexpected! Beautifully written and highly recommended - definitely one of my favourites from this year's shortlist.

Mrs Mann
Brooke Weston Book Busters

It is a good book, I loved it from the start and I will never stop.

Daniel
Bispham Bookworms

This is a really good book because Zillah Bethell gives you unanswered questions so you can read on and also since it tells you about Australia and its traditions which are both really interesting . Five stars out of five stars.

Howard
Bispham Bookworms

I thought that The Song Walker was a great book, I liked how it showed flashbacks from Sienna’s past, I also liked how she found a different side to her in the end and finally she had a friend. I found the mystery of what was in the metal case very intriguing as well as the quest to find out who she was.

Imogen
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

This book is an inventive way of portraying aboriginal Australian culture but mixing with mystery and friendship to make an amazing story set in the outback. When a teenage girl wakes up in sand dunes she is unable to remember her past. Luckily though she is able to find a first country girl to guide her through the desert and together they travel to uncover the truth. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Its clear message has been portrayed in a very clear way that means it is accessible for everyone.

Owen
Larkmead

Beautiful relationship between the two girls and the ending was perfect. Their journey's end made me cry in the best way,

Rebeka
The Cleeve Readers

The song walker is the story of a young girl (Sienna, although she has many names) who ends up stranded in the Australian desert with another young girl looking for her sister. On their way to finding themselves they meet people who help them more than they realise but they also encounter rather horrible people who only cared about money and not about the feelings of the girls or any animal. Although The song walker was not my favourite book it was an amazing story of grief and acceptance.

Aoife
Euro Bookworms

This is a good book, a book with no parts which is not ideal. I like this book because it contains parts which is mysterious, full with action and survival. This book has mysteries waiting to be revealed. Even I have questions like '' is the dog or the horse a spirit?'' or '' spirits cant hold a jug of lemonade, right?'' My favourite part is when Tarni tells Tidda that most the people and places are spirits, guiding, protecting and healing them in their journey. The only improvement would be to add more illustrations. I rate this 9/10.

Michal
VISTA Academy

What if you woke up in the middle of the Australian outback? Stranded in the endless bush, stretching for miles in every direction. Your shoe missing. Your hand clutched around an unfamiliar metal case. Everything is unfamiliar. Your memories are lost. Will they ever return? What if a strange girl in a striped tee and dungarees found you? Saved you from the brink of death. Became your guardian and protector. Your dreams are reflecting what was once your life. Your feelings are uncertain. Your memories are starting to pop up inside your mind. Are they returning? What if you walked until your feet were bare? Your troubled mind is finally clear. IS IT? Secrets have been revealed. ARE YOU OK? Your destination is in sight. ARE YOU REALLY HERE? No. It's time to go back. Back to where it all started. What if this was never a what if? What if this was real? What if this happened. Well it happened to Moonflower. To Magpie. To Maestro. To Sienna Vanderbolt...

Afre
Larkmead

In this book, a girl wakes up in the middle of the Australian outback. She is carrying a strange case, doesn't know who she is, where she is and why she is here. She meets Tarni, a girl from the outback on a quest. Together, they explore the wildlife in Australia, putting up with all kinds of challenges along the way. I liked this book a lot, because even though it was confusing at first, it became very exciting as the girl slowly discovers who she is and everything slots into place for her. The author also did a great job with connecting the book to the First Country Australians beliefs and traditions, like the songs Tarni sings to guide the way to places. I also liked her style of writing, as it was not only descriptive, but also very captivating. I loved the cover because it showed aspects of the book which left you wanting to know more. The mix of characters together with the character arc of the main character, from rich and picky to accepting and empathetic, where contrasted really well. I thought that Zillah Bethell spoke about different things throughout the book, like animal abuse, really well and weaved it into the story to get the message across but also make it fit well. All in all, I loved this book because it showed different themes, had well written characters and was set in an interesting setting. I would recommend this book to kids my age.

Elsa
Euro Bookworms

The Song Walker immediately captivates my attention with our protagonist waking up in a desert in the middle of Australia with no memory of her identity. She soon meets Tarni, a person with a personality and background that greatly contrasts to her own. However, they’re united by their resilience along with the individual things they pursue. For our nameless protagonist, it is a journey of self-discovery and for Tarni, a hunt for her sister. It was the element of mystery that kept me engaged throughout the book and what I believe to have made this storyline unique. As the story progressed, the suspense and the desperation to discover the secrets of the two friends only increased. I enjoyed the friendship and growing bond between them. Tarni’s search for her sister, Brindabel, was painful to read about and was so well written that I found myself unconsciously sympathising with Tarni. Emotions poured out of each chapter, with everything from exciting new discoveries to heart-wrenching disappointments. As I set down the book after completing the last chapter, I felt an unexplainable satisfaction. It was almost as if I had been a part of the journey that the two girls had experienced and had finally found what I had been looking for. I would rate this book 8/10 and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in reading about a dangerous adventure across a mystifying landscape with teamwork, kindness and bravery.

Nusaiba
Plashet School

Upon opening this book, I was skeptical about how much I would enjoy another clichéd read about a main character losing and regaining their memory. However, I found The Song Walker to be far from that assumption. Right from chapter one, I was gripped and constantly guessing as the plot was released tantalizingly slowly into my eager hands. Sienna's backstory is not what I expected at all, and I enjoyed the different red herrings that were thrown out. Overall, I definitely enjoyed both the book and the culture that it taught me about, however I think that it could have been slightly better had it been narrated from different perspectives. I would have loved to hear the thoughts of Tarni, or maybe even Sienna's parents looking for her. Nevertheless, I would still recommend.

Pippa
Bookiewookiedoodaas

I really enjoyed this book and how they used specific words for description. Reading through this felt as if I was in the story - the description was on point, I felt immersed into the book. I also really liked the story like how they built up all the info at the end to give the reader sympathy. I loved how the author wrote the different concepts together in the middle and explained it at the end. Some of my favourite parts: The Debonaire/spirit scene - it feels like a move the way it is described. It really feels like a movie, how it was a dream sleeping, blackness, being poisoned and then suddenly being rescued is immaculate! This book is amazing. Zillah Bethell is an actual genius. The plot, moral, lesson was so well described! I really enjoyed this book.

Nicole
The Whitefield Readers

5/5 It was a shame that the vote closed before I could read The Song Walker because I would definitely have voted for this novel! The fact that it was so gripping and emotionally charged was completely unexpected, considering the cover and age recommendation. As a reader who is interested in novels about exploration and extreme environments - such as mountains or desert - the Song Walker instantly held my attention. I think the idea of beginning the book in the Australian Outback with a character who cannot remember her own name is effective in capturing the reader's imagination. I was intrigued - who is this girl? What is her backstory? How has she found herself out in the wilderness? As well as Tarni and Sienna's adventure, there were always these questions in the background, encouraging me to read on to discover more. The Carnegie shortlisted books have travelled to many areas of the planet, and I particularly liked the setting of the Australian Outback. The First Country and Torres Strait indigenous people are those whose culture I feel is often ignored. Throughout the book, I wanted Bethell to explain more about their spiritual beliefs, so the ending - which made a clear, thoughtful link to this - was definitely satisfactory in that regard. I liked how The Song Walker didn't limit itself to an adventure narrative, instead it incorporated supernatural elements and themes of grief, family, and belonging. The emotional impact of the last few chapters brought me to tears - I brought my hand to my mouth at the shock of the final twist! Although the cover may seem childish and basic, I highly recommend this book. As a 14 year-old, I thoroughly enjoyed it and believe it can be read on multifarious levels.

Alice
Book and Biscuit Club

I loved this book, and it is definitely my favourite book so far. It is about a girl who lost her memory and is stranded in the Australian desert. Then she meets Tarni who helps her and they become friends. Their friendship is very heartwarming and even though they had some arguments, they always made up in the end. The plot twist at the end of the book was a bit confusing at first but then I was so shocked because the twist was so unexpected. I definitely recommend this book to others, and I rate it 10/10.

Rohana
Plashet School

I thought that the book was well written and the general storyline of it was very good and I found myself wanting to read more. I loved the real life inclusions and found myself learning about that culture and the Australian outback.

holly
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

Wow. This book was so good! You know when a book's good when an author can set a book in one place for the entirety of the book and you don't even THINK about getting bored. Zillah Bethell was already a great author to me because of her book, 'The Shark Caller', but I read this book cover-to-cover in one day and didn't go to bed until I'd finished it, I couldn't put it down! This book's a story of a girl who's lost her memory and finds herself in the Australian Outback, with no memory of who she is, where she is or why she is here. She and a girl she meets on the way work their way through the Outback, both discovering who they are and their purpose in this life. The plot twist at the end left me speechless, it linked so well with the rest of the book and I could NOT see it coming... overall this is an excellent read and it's a 10/10 from me!

Francesca
Orpington Library Younger Teens Group

When a girl wakes up in the middle of a desert not knowing who she is, where she is or why she is there. She meets a First Country girl called Tarni who saves her from narrowly being killed by a snake. The main plot keeps you reading as there are always new mysteries being uncovered. I liked the book as there are many climaxes and they show how hard it is to survive in the Australian Outback as well as teaching us about the traditions of the First Country. The story is told by the girl who was called many names as they both did not know her real name until the end. She goes from Moonflower to Maestro to her real name Siena. She turns out to be the daughter of a multi-millionaire and already is a professional violinist at 13. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who likes adventure. The ending was very confusing the first time I read it but when I re-read it, I understood what was going on.

Jonathan
Bookwizards

When a girl wearing a black dress and one shoe wakes up to find herself in the middle of the outback, she is quite clueless as to who she is and what she might be doing there. However, soon after her awakening she meets a girl named Tarni who has run away from home in the hopes of finding her sister. Both girls have a target that they are willing to cross a desert for, and throughout the book, the reader is able to see their friendship grow. I didn’t particularly enjoy this read, but I’m assuming that it’s because I am not a part of the age group the author was aiming towards. The Song Walker has the classic frame of all children’s fiction novels, but if I were to judge this book on how well it transmits emotions and communicates with a younger audience, it would definitely have a high rating. Overall, although this book wasn’t the kind I would usually read, I would definitely recommend it to a younger crowd.

Marie-Anne CI
4Shadowers

This book is set in the Australian outback and it is about two girls; Tarni and another girl who can't remember anything about herself. It is a good book about friendship and family. It was interesting how the other girl's name changed throughout the book. However, the ending was quite confusing. Overall, I would rate this an 8/10. I liked how the author managed to make their walking interesting by revealing more and more as the story continued.

Ruby
Carnegie Club 2024

The song walker is an engaging book by Zillah Bethell. This book holds lots mysteries which you find throughout the book. Tarni is a confident ,strong character. Supportive of others and one of the main characters Moonflower[which is her first given name] she finds pieces of herself along the journey. I really enjoyed this book. It makes you feel like you are going on a journey with Tarni and Moonflower inside the book. I would give this book a Five star rating .

Shaniece
Larkmead

Personally, I found this slightly boring- just that some parts did not flow well. Most of the parts was the characters walking through the desert. However, I really enjoyed the concept of the book: friendship and bond. 'The Song Walker' as a title reflects the content pretty well. I think it's a beautiful title. Although I didn't particularly enjoy it, I am confident someone else found it very interesting. In the end, I found it interesting how the girl was always dead, and she believed she was alive. It is common but twist that makes me intrigued every time.

Zoe
Perse Carnegians

I struggled with the start of this book, as it was quite repetitive and quite boring for me as they were just walking in a desert for ages however the pace picked up with more dangerous situations happening. The book showed me the culture of the First Country Australians as I wasn't aware of their way of living and traditions. The ending was really good as it was very unexpected and tragic. I would recommend this book to readers over 8 years old as I was extremely easy to read, which, as a teenager, was quite a struggle as the vocabulary was extremely simple.

Tess
Perse Carnegians

I think that this is a incredible book, very good vocabulary and incredible storyline, as a person with relatives in Australia, I hold this book very close to my heart, 10 out of 10.

Charlie
Taverham High Shadowers

I really enjoyed this book, and the twist at the end was such a surprise! An easy to follow story, which I adore, and I loved the growth of the characters. The fantasy aspect of the story was a pleasant twist for me personally as I am a fan of mythology and folk lore. My favourite of the books I have read for this award.

Mrs Scard-Edwards
West Monmouth

This book was so intresting. I loved it. At first I thought it wasn't my type of genre but this book proved me wrong. It was exciting and I couldn't stop reading because I was wanting to find out all of the memories. Who are they? How did they get there? This book definitely had me intruiged all the way through and was so amazing. I definitely recommend reading it.

Grootie
Burford School

I really liked this book. It seemed repetitive at first but started to make sense, and I found the characters very likeable. It has a very interesting and cool concept.

Intern
Burford School

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the song walker. I liked reading it because of the vivid descriptions of the landscape, the many mysteries that were in the story (such as the mystery of what was inside of the metal suitcase that Moonflower was holding, the mystery of who she was and the mystery of how she got there). I also liked how this book did not with-hold information from the reader unlike other mystery books that I have read in the past.

Szymon
Bookwizards

I had always been fascinated by indigenous Australian culture and it's refreshing to read a book centered around their customs. I learned a lot about some of its history and ancient belief in 'The Dreaming'. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book.

Vanessa
MCM Shell Readers

I really enjoyed this book as it kept me hooked during suspenseful scenes. Throughout the novel, the writer keeps the readers curious about what will happen next. I loved the characters and I loved the different themes of music and the First Country culture.

Summer
St Angela’s Reading Angels

‘Song Walker’ by Zillah Bethell was amazing and the plot was very unexpected but quite easy to follow, which, in my opinion, makes it better and more mysterious. I loved Tarni (one of the two main characters) and the fact she had extraordinarily strong characteristics such as being so friendly but so fierce at the same time. I love that the reader also got the chance to guess Sienna’s backstory and try to connect the dots before the end because it makes reading the book more interesting. The massive bomb of a twist at the end changed your perspective on the whole book and it meant I could not put the book down because it was so exhilarating. Finally, I think it was very clever how Zillah used native Australian words so make everything seem more real. In conclusion, I don’t think a single word in the whole book could be made better.

Violet
The John Mason Shadowers

Amazing.This just shows how little incident has such a big impact and also the fact that your guardian angels are always around you.

Esther
Plashet School

This book was one I was initially excited to read (when I read the blurb) and it didn't disappoint! I've always been fascinated with the idea of losing your memories, especially since your entire personality and being is affected by them, along with the decisions you make. The verse format gave the book a different impact than it would have if it was written traditionally, allowing space for impact and pauses that added that extra oomph that made the book so good. I may add, this was the book I voted for the award, so I am, no doubt, bias. The plot twist at the end wasn't actually too surprising, especially with all the hints and foreshadowing. Not to say that I would have guessed the sudden revelation, but it wasn't exactly shocking either. After knowing the ending, I advise rereading the book, as it shines a whole new light on certain parts of the book, and makes for an interesting way to spend an evening. The ending was satisfying too, knowing that both Sienna and Tarni got a happy ending made the book an overall enjoyable experience.

Jasmine
St Augustine’s Challenge

I really enjoyed this book! The ending was good but did leave me a bit confused. It inspired me to find out more about First Country Australia and the Australian Outback. It also made me want to visit those parts of Australia. I loved the fact Zillah Bethell represented First Country Australians as I have never read a book themed on them before, but I would happily read another one based on this fansinating culture. The book showed the kindness and generosity of First Country People like Debonaire and Eddy (even though there were spirits). Tarni was my favourite character, she was really kind and helpful. This book was my favourite of the Carneige books I have read.

Elouise
GreatB00ks

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was great fun to read. I loved the mystery of Brindabelle being dead. I do not get why Tarni would not tell Sienna that her name was Sienna.I got really confused about the dream walking and how everybody was dead in the end. But all in all I enjoyed it . I liked how it was all about the first country people in the Australian outback .It bought a lot of culture to the story which made it interesting because I wanted to know more. I felt really sad when I learnt that everybody was dead because I loved the character Debonaire, she gave another mystery on the way . I loved it !

Emme
GreatB00ks

The song walker is an exciting adventure which transports you into the Australian outback. The story follows an unlikely friendship between a girl called Tarni on a mission across the dessert and a mysterious girl. The new found friends embark on a journey of self discovery and purpose as they cross the vast wilderness together. I found the ending a little confusing, however it was overall a fun filled and vibrant book which I really enjoyed.

Rosa
JGHS Shadowers

I think this was a weird book to read because she had to use some ancient songs and it was very emotional.

Zak Dad
Ermysted’s

I found The Song Walkers a very interesting book. Throughout the book I felt that it was written very well consistently, and I really enjoyed the storyline in general. The plot twist at the end of the book was very fun to read as it completely changed how I previously looked at the book. However, some parts were confusing after realising that she was a phantom. Overall, I really liked The Song Walkers.

Lora
Fortismere

The Song Walker is about a young girl, lost in the unforgiving desert. She doesn’t know where she is or how she got there, in fact, she doesn’t even remember her own name. Then she is found by another young girl named Tarni, who is on her own mysterious quest. The girls decide to team up and so begins a wild adventure in The Outback. I enjoyed reading the journey of the characters in The Song Walker, they were all very endearing, detailed characters; it was hard not to fall in love. The twists throughout the book were unexpected and absorbing, and the end tied everything together neatly. Four out of five stars.

Emily
Wadham Warriors

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell The song walker is a book about a young girl who finds herself stranded in the Australian outback, but is found by Tarni, a young First County girl on a journey to find her older sister, Brindabel. Together, they travel through the Outback on a collective journey to find Brindabel and for Sienna to make her way home. One thing I liked about The Song Walker is how Sienna doesn’t know her name until the very end, and instead is given the names Moonflower, Magpie, Maestro. These really reflect how Sienna’s character is developing, and as they find out more about her, they become more like her. For example, they named her Maestro because of her talent for music, something they never would have called her in the beginning. However, Tarni also names her the First County word for “Best friend”, which I think may be to symbolize that Sienna is starting to care less about her music and who she is, but more about her friendship with Tarni and who she actually is. We can further see this when she is made to choose between going home and staying with Tarni, but she views home as a cage. I thoroughly liked the ending, where we found out the characters we met along the way were spirit walkers. I think it made for a great moment of realization and we also find out that Sienna is a spirit, so I like how the story ties up all lose ends and how we never realize that the main character is a spirit during the book. I like the characters as they all help guide the adventurers on their journey. One part I particularly liked was how the hunters were revealed to be evil spirits of the deserts, which I think helped with their development as we don’t realize they are spirits until the end.

Jacob KEG
Sidcot Shadowers

I like how Sienna's name changes every single time because they find something new about her as she recalls her memory. I like how she doesn't force herself to remember her memories she allows it to come by it self. Sienna cares for Tarni like her own sister. Tarni calls her Tidda at the end of the book as in best female friend ever. They both lived happily ever after. I like the book so much that I would recommend it to someone at any age.

Yetunde
Reading Without Limits (Lancaster)

If I were to summarise this book in just three words it would be friendship, resilience and kindness. There were many great things about this book however I would also say that there is a few cons as well. For example, I felt as if the story took a little bit too long to get to the main bulge of the book (when Tarni met Magpie). The point I am trying to get across is that I felt that the beginning of the book could’ve been more engaging so that the reader felt the urge to go on and explore the rest of the book. However, in this case I thought that the start of the story lacked excitement and therefore to me felt quite long. Nevertheless, from the point where the two girls meet in the bush the book -for me- instantly becomes a better quality and more exiting. Also, there are lots of qualities that can spread to the readers such as kindness. Zillah Bethel was very intelligent by doing this as it sets a good example for the current children. Therefore, not only is it fun to read but is also beneficial to read. In conclusion, this book is rated a 7.5/10.

Tom
Bookwizards

The Song Walker is a wonderful book that tells the story of a mysterious adventure amongst the Australian Outback. The main character, her name was unknown until the end where we find out she is called Sienna, is found wandering a vast desert trying to remember who she really is. The twist at the end is hinted at with clever phrases dotted in the text that ultimately come to the conclusion that Sienna sits in limbo between the real world and the spiritual realm. The spiritual realm is thought to be the afterlife that Tarni, a friend Sienna found shortly after the beginning of the book, strongly believes in. In the book, spirits of people are found all over the Outback. Maps aren’t used in this culture but instead songs are used to calculate where landmarks are located. Tarni’s pet bird, Candelabra is one of the ways the author hints that Sienna is turning into a spirit for Candelabra was injured when Tarni found her which links to the fact that Sienna is also dying. The bird represents Sienna in a way. The imagery used in the book is strong and striking, an example of this is the theme of music, for Sienna is a violinist and Tarni uses songs to travel places. This also builds on the relationship between the two characters and how Tarni rescues Sienna from entering the spirit world through the song they create together. The book itself is quite long and is packed with high-energy, entertaining scenes which is pictured incredibly by the author. Overall, the book is an exciting, action packed adventure depicting many original themes and ideas meaning it is very entertaining and fun to read.

Jackson
Bookwizards

The Song Walker is about Sienna, also known as Moonflower, Magpie and Maestro, who finds herself in the middle of the Australian outback, not knowing a single thing about herself. With the help of Tarni, a First Country Australian, she follows the Dreamlines on a journey to find out who she really is. I enjoyed The Song Walker because it had lots of good descriptions and little details, and the plot was interesting and easy to follow. I also found learning about First Country Australians interesting. I would recommend The Song Walker to ages 9+ because it was very easy to read and quite educational. Overall, I would give The Song Walker a 9/10

Maria
Larkmead

“The Song Walker” by Zillah Bethell is an extraordinary tale of friendship, discovery, and courage. Set in the Australian Outback, it follows a young girl who wakes up in the desert with no memory of who she is. Carrying a mysterious case, she embarks on a quest for answers alongside her new friend, Tarni. Tarni, a First Country Australian girl, navigates the Outback using songlines—a traditional form of mapping passed down through generations. The book beautifully explores themes of freedom, identity, music, and heritage. It’s offering a thought-provoking narrative that can spark profound discussions.

Ronald LI
4Shadowers

This book is about a young girl who is alone walking through the wild landscape and she cannot remember her own name, where she is or why she is there. After a night in the cold she is found by a girl called Tarni who invited the nameless girl to go with her. She accepts and is given the name “Moonflower” by Tarni. This book is a beautiful tale of discovery and friendship while it teaches the reader about Australia and some of its history and beliefs. I loved the concept of memories and loved learning along with our protagonist.

Jenny
Perse Carnegians

Though this book was harder to get into at first once I did I enjoyed it a lot. I especially liked the double thread of music from both girls, though their music is very different it still united them. It provided interesting insight into the First Country Australians and their culture and beliefs, which I had very limited knowledge of beforehand but would now like to know more about. I found the theme of identity to be really interesting, especially how it shifted with each new revelation. I definitely didn’t expected the twist at the end but it was another good nod to the culture of the First Country Australians.

Amelie
Perse Carnegians

When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She has lost her memory of everything she knows. She meets Tarni, who is on a quest to find her missing sister and be reunited with her. These two strangers join forces to work together and complete the journey they are on. When reading this book, I loved the way the story was told, it illustrated exactly what you would expect, yet still held surprises when you turned the page. I particularly loved the ending - with its' wonderful showing of strange friendship built upon discovery and courage. My only areas for improvement were the beginning, which I wish was a bit more thought out, as well as some of the extra characters near the end of the book, as they seemed to lack development. Overall, I thought it was an amazing book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery or adventure novels (FIVE STARS).

Habiba
Rockwood Reads

I thought this was a good book it was interesting

olivia
Kingdown 24

I really liked how in the song walker everyone was a spirit, and that it really wasn’t real, which I would not have suspected when I first started reading it. I really liked the fact that you had to figure out, along with her, who she really was. Throughout the book, you had to wait to see what was going to happen, as it was quite hard to imagine what could happen. I really like how the story introduces the Aboriginal culture and language because it is very intriguing to learn about the native culture. Overall, the book was very interesting and different to read, and I enjoyed the fact that you didn’t really know what was coming next.

Aisling
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

By just the title I was immediately intrigued and as I borrowed the book out of my brilliant school library I wondered how I would finish it in less than a week and without noticing it I did. It was an amazing and heartfelt book about a city girl lost in the Australian outback with no clue about who she is not even her name. But throughout the book she has various flashbacks that give her short snippets about who she was and how she ended up there. As I read this book, it made me feel as if I were there imagining the flash backs not knowing who I was and as it was revealed I started to piece things together. I could really sympathise with the main characters because they were my age and that made me feel as if I were in 'The Song Walker'. Three words to summarise this story would be: Emotional, Mysterious and Beautiful.

Margarida
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

Amelia
The John Mason Shadowers

This is not specifically the type of book I usually reach out for but it was an enjoyable read. I especially liked now the characters were actually relatable as someone who is a teenage reader. The characters actually suit their age but usually when I read books they don't always seem like they are that age. I really enjoyed the characters' bond grew throughout this book.

Maimuna
Plashet School

From the first page, "The song walker" captured my interest through the writer's use of short sentences, elipsis and questions. Themes of identity, grief and development are reflected throughout the novel as the characters journey in search of Tarni's sister. The writer, Zillah Bethwel, explores the question of what makes you who you are, which I think is effective as she shows how names are unimportant as Sienna discovers more about herself. I was not sure about the fantasy element at the end because this is not woven throughout the story so it is a bit unexpected and confusing however I think that it was very clever that Tarni's sister had died. The ending was quite powerful because Tarni's release of the bird, Candelabra, symbolised her letting go of her attatchment to her sister and moving on from her grief. I found Sienna quite difficult to empathise with because the writer suggests her past self is cruel and she has come from an extremely priveledged background. However, she grows and develops from her emotional and physical journey and is a better person by the end. Ultimately, the mystery in the novel is intruiging and I found it difficult to put down.

Isabelle
Holt Readers

I would rate this book 4/5. The storyline got better as it builds deeper down into the two girls and got interesting as they re-gain their memory and start to know who they were. However, I think the ending was a bit rushed and confusing for me.

Chizaram
St Angela’s Reading Angels

This was probably one of the best books I have ever read, not exaggerating even one bit. I loved the start, I loved the end and I loved every single thing between. I enjoyed the start because it seemed so real and so well described, and I liked the events of the book, the unexplained journey, the mystery sister and learning about all of the traditions of the people. I liked hearing about the mermaid person, whose character was really well developed and I liked the various sudden twists, like the incident with the fruit and the people claiming the hotel didn't exist. Most of all I liked the growing mystery, when one thing was figured out another started. Overall I think it is an awesome book and I think every person should be given the chance to read something so well-crafted, enticing and exciting.

Nellie
SHSK Shadowers

I really love the song walker because it’s not like any other book. The whole story of a girl who wakes up in the middle of the desert, and can’t remember anything, is so creative. The song walker is gripping and absolutely amazing! I will definitely reread it many times from now.

Aya
Christ’s Book Society

This book is about two girls who are in Australia. One of the girl is lost and forgets everything like who is she and where she is until she finds a girl to help her to survive. There are deadly things that can kill them in the desert everything is crazy. I say this book was quite good. I just say if you like survival books then you will like this book . This book is probably for 8-10 onwards.

Jazmin
Blake Student Shadowers

This book was probably my favourite because it was gripping the whole way through and I just didn't want to put it down. This story was beautiful and heart warming and if there was sequel I would gladly read it. I highly recommend this book to people who like twists and happy endings.

Tilly
HAYES BOOKSTOPS

It is a good book with interesting characters and a very interesting plot. It builds amazing suspense and dramatic tension. It is very engaging and is definitely a good read. 100% recommend this book!

Uzoamaka
St Angela’s Reading Angels

The Song Walker was a very good book and I really enjoyed reading it. This book is very interesting and every time I read it, it feels like I'm being transfered to the desert where it takes place. In my opinion I would recommend it to people who like reading adventure books and like feeling an exciting emotion whilst their reading a book. And I personally loved the book!

Manu
Chiswick Carnegie

My first thoughts of the book “SONG WALKER” is that it is a book that changes throughout the story by using the characters' emotions. In my opinion I think this book is one of the books where you can’t stop reading, however I think that the ending of the book needed a bit more to it as it felt a bit rushed. Overall I would rate this book a 9/10.

ALFIE
Open Book

The Song Walker was a very enjoyable book, for example it was thrilling because you felt like you were always in the Australian outback with Tarni .The adjectives also added to that effect in the way that they talked about Tarni's emotions and feelings. I liked the way that the author used some of the words to describe the Australian nature which were very powerful. In my opinion the ending was not very clear as there was a confusing plot twist that meant that Tarni and her friend were spirit walking through out the whole book, this also some what ruined the book for me. Overall I would probably recommend this book to confident readers.

Anna
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

oh my goodness i can not explain the joy i felt reading this book it was so interesting to read and i wish i could read it all over again not knowing the ending .the ending was so shocking and i wish i could find the words for it .my overall opinion is that The Song Walker is a story that beats to its own poignant and heartfelt pulse that encapsulates friendship, pain, identity and hope in the most remarkable, unmissable and unforgettable adventure. An absolute masterpiece!

Ugne
St Angela’s Reading Angels

I find this book intriguing because you are learning things along with the main character due to their memory loss and the plot twist of that the sister is dead as well as everyone else they have met is really confusing but also interesting because you can see that there are good people and bad people also is tarni's mother ok I mean we saw a fake podcast at her house but her mum must be really sad because she has already lost one daughter in that time but love how they have been hinting that tarni's sister has been dead the whole time 😭😭😭

Bethany
SuAS Shadows

'Safiyyah's war' is such an inspirational book, It shown the hardships of war and the effects it has on different groups of people. However it also shows that we must battle through and that courage is the key to all we dream to achieve as long as we follow what is right.

Elizabeth
BUCS Library Book Club

I really liked The Song Walker because it was about two girls who work together to travel through outback Australia and they use each other to survive but they both have really big secrets they are keeping from each other.

Harriet
Blake Student Shadowers

I loved the book Song Walker Probably the best book I've read this year. I'm really surprised that this book was so good, I loved it!

Joseph
Walkden Readers

I very much enjoyed Song Walker and Saffiyah's War, even by just looking at the front covers, I was immediately interested, as I read on, I was not disappointed at all, I am very thankful to the writers for writing such wonderful books.

Sophie
Walkden Readers

I really like this book and it looked like it would end really well, but I didn’t think that it ended well.

Tim
St. George’s Dragon Readers

Emily
BUCS Library Book Club

This book was a game of two halves for me. I loved the mystery of the story, and the descriptions of the Australian Outback on their journey were absolutely gorgeous. From my time spent living in Iga Warta and Parachilna, the scenery felt very familiar and authentic. It was also nice to have such a unique setting for a children's book - you don't normally get many Australian locations, never mind the Bush itself, and the First Nations people too. I thought this was great. Whilst I appreciate the mythology and beliefs of the later parts of the story, for me this is where I lost some of my enthusiasm for the book. Whilst I love properly made-up fantasy, I don't like stories set in the real world to have these elements as I don't like to lose the reality of the situation. Yet some of the students really enjoyed this, so it's clearly just a personal issue rather than an issue with the book itself!

Miss K
BUCS Library Book Club

disliked it because i didn't like the way of writing like at the start i don't like that it starts with right ,left ,right ,left ,right ,left ,right ,left ,right and so on i don't think a book should start likethat

zuzanna
RET 2024

it was very unique and interesting but it was a bit confusing at the start as it dropped you into the middle of the action. I really enjoyed it

hannah
Pensby Pundits

Reads with ease and lots of description. The pacing was slow at times but was intentional to mirror their tedious journey. I enjoyed reading/learning about the culture of First country Australians.

Gabriella
The Tiffin Girls’ Shadows

The song walker by Zillah Bethell is a captivating tale that transports readers to the heart of the Australian Outback, a place where the red earth meets an endless blue sky. The story begins with a young girl waking up in the desert, disoriented and alone, save for a single shoe, a black dress, and a heavy, mysterious case. With no memory of her identity or how she arrived there, the girl's journey for answers begins. As she traverses the vast, unforgiving landscape, she encounters Tarni, a girl on her own enigmatic quest. Tarni, hailing from the traditional Alaywarre community, introduces the protagonist to the concept of songlines — a unique form of navigation where routes are memorized and passed down through generations in the form of songs. This cultural gem adds a rich layer to the narrative, highlighting the deep connection between the land and its First Country inhabitants. Bethell's prose is lyrical and evocative, mirroring the story's exploration of freedom, identity, music, and heritage. The bond that forms between the two girls from vastly different backgrounds is a testament to the novel's underlying message: that our differences can unite us, enriching our lives in ways we never imagined. "The Song Walker" is more than just an adventure; it's a philosophical journey that prompts readers to consider who they are and who they wish to become. It's a story that resonates with themes of friendship and self-discovery, all set against the backdrop of one of the most remote and stunning places on Earth. This book offers an immersive experience that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving. It's a story that encourages discussion and introspection, making it a valuable addition to any young reader's collection. The Song Walker is a soulful story that beautifully serenades the reader with themes of freedom, identity, music, and heritage. In summary, "The Song Walker" is a beautifully crafted novel that stands as a testament to Zillah Bethell's ability to weave a narrative that is as profound as it is enchanting. It's a book that deserves a place on the shelf of anyone who appreciates a story that can both entertain and inspire.

Reina
Perse Carnegians

Steady For This is about a boy who is suffering from poverty, but has dreams of becoming a big rapper. One day, he finds out there is a rapping competition with the prize of $3000, necessary to help his mom and brother escape poverty. Disaster strikes however, when a video of him being naked with poop on his pants go viral with his friend - and get seen as a joke by the entire school. This book shows the life of a child suffering from poverty perfectly and the stress they go through. Overall, this book should be shown to every child as it clearly highlights bullying and poverty, and these problems are rapidly increasing. Chanhyeok

Chanhyeok
The Lotus Readers

On the very first page of "The Song Walker" I found myself absorbed in what was happening, partially due to the thoughtful way it was written with her thoughts in between the actual narrative. I also found the bond between Sienna and Tarni, and how it developed, particularly interesting and creating a pleasant atmosphere when I was reading it. However, about a hundred pages in, I found that not much was going on and found myself almost skimming over it, but I was still able to understand everything that was happening. Although I know this book was targeted at a younger audience, and it was certainly written in a way that successfully did so , the monotony of the book could've made anyone bored in a number of places. Furthermore, the ending of the book was rather vague and made me question a lot of the things that happened in the book. Although the author did allude to it in some places, maybe if the concept of it was brought in previously, the reader could at least have made their own speculations and hence made it a more enticing read. Ultimately, despite its flaws, I still found this to be an engaging read.

Ananya
The Tiffin Girls’ Shadows

The song walker had a very interesting concept and the world building was really well done. I liked all the characters and felt like I could really understand where they were coming from. I liked how th e author made them actually acted their age (being stubborn, ignorant etc) because lots of the time books with younger main characters make them overly mature and seem more like a grown adult then a child/teen. I also particularly liked the ending since it Closed on a very bittersweet note.

Ava
Fortismere

this book i did not like one bit. as i have only read the first few pages i can not determin how good the end of the book is but to me it isnt a good book. i found it hard to latch onto like most of the other books. it also doesnt seem normal that a girl wakes up in the middle of a desert not knowing who she is. that sort of a story is not the one for me.

Sami
TCOLC Perfictionists

The Song Walker was an exciting, intriguing, and deeply touching book. I found myself entertained throughout (and constantly guessing what would be revealed next!). Although the ending felt a little rushed, the story was mainly paced excellently, with just the right amount of mystery to tantalise you further into the book. The ideas portrayed were thought-provoking and interesting for everyone; that is to say that most readers would enjoy this, no matter their age.

Tamsin
St Mary’s RC High

The Song Walker is an excellent book that has an amazing plot. I really think that Zillah Bethel used lots of her imagination to put this fantastic piece of writing together. There are many places in the book which make you want to turn over to the next page and make you think what will happen next, this for me is what makes a great book. I believe that Zillah Bethel fully deserves he place on the Carnegie shortlist.

Toby
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

'The song walker' is a book following the journey of two girls: Tarni and a girl with no memory later known as, Sienna. I loved how they varied from each other, but also depended on each other at the same time. I feel like this book was well written and once we got further and deeper into their story, it became more intriguing. And I loved the ending and how they both were reunited-and at the end of the epilogue where they both used their talents to express themselves together, and the significance of Candlebara throughout the entire book.

maryam
Walthamstow Reading Champions

Our main character is on a journey to find out who she really is. The Australian outback as a dramatic setting, and Tarni who saves our character from perishing in the dessert. A journey to unravel secrets and friendships to bond, wasn’t prepared for the twist !

jo
Cally Book Busters

I really enjoyed learning about the culture of First country Australians and how they use songs to find their way using music passed down from generations. It really feels like you are on a journey with the characters trekking across the outback, navigating the highs and lows of travelling alone. I loved seeing the characters friendships grow and their trust and reliance on each other get stronger. One of the characters suffer from memory loss, it must have been a very distorting experience and I feel like it was covered well. It was almost a journey of discovering herself as well. The ending surprised me as it was under your nose all along yet it was still a shock to find out. A beautiful book and would definitely recommend

Zoë
The Latymer Literati

Paisley
Free School Readers

Initially it wasn't very interesting, however as we learn more about the mysterious girl it becomes more interesting

Alec
The Latymer Literati

The Song Walker is about a girl who ends up in a desert and she has no recollection of who she was and why she was there. Luckily, she was found by a girl called Tarni. Tarni is trying to find her sister and she invites the lost girl along. As their journey progresses, the lost girl slowly re-gains her memory and realises that she is the daughter of a rich couple. Will she ever get home? Read the book to find out. I would rate this book 5/5, it had a great story line and the song element is fantastic.

Benji
The Latymer Literati

I enjoyed the use of thought-like writing styles to convey the thoughts and feelings of the characters and I felt that memories and thoughts were described very well. At times the pacing felt odd but overall I think the pacing was effective in showing the tediousness of their walking. I didn't particularly like the ending however I would like to reread the novel with the ending in mind.

Tilly
The Tiffin Girls’ Shadows

The song walker is an incredible book about a lost city girl who woke up in a desert not knowing anything about herself. My favourite character was Tarni because she is very enthusiastic and is very brave. She crafts a variety of items from the scarce resources of the desert. Though, she wasn't very realistic, being a child in the middle of a desert and knowing a lot of stuff about how to survive. The story keeps you trying to figure out who the main character is throughout the whole story. My most favourite part of the book was when Tarni saved the main character from a snake whilst she was sleeping. The reason it was my favourite part was because it was very intense and put you in a little bit of suspense. The book was a little upsetting at the start because the main character couldn't remember anything about herself. Overall, the story was incredible I would definitely recommended this book.

Dougie
BFS Umbra

I would recommend this book to anyone 7+. It is an interesting story about identity and secrets set in the Australian Outback, with a solid ending. The epilogue was a nice touch, as it really helped to bring home the very real friendship between the two girls. I liked the character of Tarni more than girl, as she has a far sparkier and more interesting story and personality; the latter falls more into a cliché. Bethell does a good job of slowly unravelling the backstories of the two girls, and this really keeps the book engaging. Overall I enjoyed this book, although there were some elements which could have be tweaked to make the story even better. 5/10.

Saachi
Perse Carnegians

In the middle of the Australian outback, a young girl treks seemingly infinitely onwards carrying a mysterious metal case and wearing a black dress with only one shoe. Even stranger is the fact that she has no memory of who she is or what she is doing there. On the brink of death, she is rescued by a young Aboriginal girl called Tarni, who invites her on her journey across the bush to find her sister. Along the way, they encounter danger, mystery and magic, exploring a landscape like no other. Will this lost girl discover her true identity? Will Tarni ever find her sister? Only time will tell… This story is an incredible blend of magic and reality, showing how the two can overlap and intertwine with each other. By presenting the story through the nameless girl’s perspective, the reader feels equally as confused and frustrated as she does at her lack of knowledge of herself. The Song Walker is truly an eye-opening glimpse into the lives of people who we would otherwise never even consider. Being introduced to the culture of Aboriginal Austrailians is a beautiful experience and one that very few ever think about. This book is extremely thrilling and heartwarming, full of twists and turns that are bound to leave you shocked! This book had me on the edge of my seat at every moment and I absolutely loved experiencing every plot twist. My favourite element of this story was the fact that it makes you subconsciously predict what would happen next - I was thrilled when I guessed what was in the case before the characters. Also, the imagery Bethell has used makes this book very engaging which hooked me. Despite being a little confusing at times, I believe that overall this book is quite an easy read, therefore I would recommend it to those who are fairly slow readers or to those who don’t enjoy reading as much. I would rate it 4.4 stars out of 5.

Emma
Glossopdale Readers

‘The Song Walker’ by Zillah Bethell is a beautifully told fiction story and a very interesting read. The story starts with a young girl who wakes up in the middle of the desert without knowing who or where she is or how she got there, she is wearing a silky dress with only one shoe and carrying a strangely heavy case. Later on she then meets Tarni, a first country girl and they set off through the desert in search for answers. This book has a very original story plot which had me gripped from the first page, both girls have their secrets which are gradually revealed to each other and the reader as their unlikely friendship builds. It is a wonderful story that includes the themes of friendship, grief, identity and adventure. I found the book was a very enlightening read about the first country's traditions and beliefs and it really illuminates the struggles of native americans. Overall this book is very eye opening and is most definitely a page turner as I was completely hooked at all the plot twists and reveals. In between the chapters there were music suggestions that really give the feeling of story and both girls' perspectives. I would recommend this book to ages 9+ for it was an educational and engaging read.

Heidi
Glossopdale Readers

The Song Walker The book is about two girls who are walking through the bush, one doesn’t know who she is or what she is doing there and the other is searching for her sister. The book follows their journey and the people and animals they meet along the way. I really enjoyed this book because it was very captivating and exciting. I also thought the characters were relatable and funny at the same time. I would recommend this book to people who like adventure and teenagers.

Amaya
Glossopdale Readers

When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert she doesn't know who she is, she's wearing only one shoe, a plain black dress and she's carrying a strange heavy case. She then meets a girl called Tarni and they sent off in search of answers, This book was interesting and I was keen to discover what happened next.

HD
EDA Book Legends

An interesting read which, although a little slow-going, keeps the reader interested with regular plot twists. It seems as if the main character spends most of the time wandering around in the desert trying to remember things, occasionally confronting issues but mostly just loafing around. There is no real urgency to the plot at least until the pair come across the hunters. From there the book begins to pace up, but after nearly 200 pages of ‘filler’. The amnesia theme is a good idea, but the book seems riddled with repeats of the same thing. The writing style itself is cleverly woven though, devised to help a reader hooked even though, let’s be honest, not much happens until the book’s latter parts. That is when it begins to become a really interesting read. We see a softer side to the protagonist’s friend, torn apart by the concept of having taken a life. There is certainly much to unpack in The Song Walker, for those willing to wait a few pages!

Oscar
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

‘The Song Walker’ is a very interesting book which draws you in. The author uses loads of descriptive language so it is very interesting and detailed. The story of ‘finding out’ leaves you thinking to the very last chapter and leaves you intrigued. This book is definitely a recommended one. I think people who enjoy adventure stories and secretive stories would love this book.

Poppy
TTS Readers

This book is about a girl who wakes up in the Australian desert with no memory. She meets Tarni, an Aboriginal girl, who helps her survive and find her way. Together, they journey through the Outback, and the girl starts to remember her past. Along the way, she learns about the importance of songs and stories in Aboriginal culture. The book highlights themes of friendship, courage, and the value of cultural traditions. I found this book really interesting and would rate it 5 stars.

Inaayah
Beauchamp Champs 2024

This is a book I had very mixed feelings about. On the one hand, I really enjoyed the setting, the introduction, and the way the characters, especially Tarni, were introduced and were all so unique in their personalities and ideas. However, I found the pacing really irritating, and ended up bored in several sections as I feel like we circled around the same issues and the main character kept repeating the same mistakes and concerns. While I think this kind of suits the setting and demonstrates just how far they were walking, I found myself struggling to keep going at times. Towards the end, the pacing seemed rushed and personally, I found the big plot twist both predictable and kind of disappointing, as I had been waiting for a twist and it seemed almost pointless- although I know it wasn’t, in actual fact, but it still felt like a bit of an anticlimax. I also found Sienna quite irritating for a lot of the book- I know it’s just a personal thing, and that she was quite young, but the way she acted seemed both immature (again, I know she’s a child so it makes sense, but it was quite extreme in some cases) and kind of ridiculous- she repeatedly got into arguments and became grumpy at the one person who was her literal only hope of survival and has saved her life, and what annoyed me more was that for most the books she didn’t really seem to learn from these mistakes, even when it seemed she had. So overall, I enjoyed parts of this book but it was slightly disappointing and is definitely not my favourite.

Isla
TGGS Carnegie Readers

For somebody who doesn't know anything about First Country traditions and beliefs, this was a very enlightening read. A lovely story about grief, friendship and identity, and a really illuminating read about the struggles of Native Australians. I highly recommend for young readers.

sakina
Holt Readers

The Song Walker is about a girl who ends up in a desert and she has no recollection of who she was and why she was there. Luckily, she was found by a girl called Tarni. Tarni is trying to find her sister and she invites the lost girl along. As their journey progresses, the lost girl slowly re-gains her memory and realises that she is the daughter of a rich couple. Will she ever get home? Read the book to find out. I would rate this book 3.75/5, it had a great story line, but some parts were confusing and it was hard to keep up/understand everything.

Aditya
Beauchamp Champs 2024

I really enjoyed the song walker. It makes even a plain desert seem harsh yet at some points beautiful. I also liked the twists in the story like Tarni's sister already being dead and lots of parts just being mirages.

Nathan
St Martin’s Bookworms

The Song Walker is about a young girl who wakes up in the desert with no memory of who she is. As the story progresses she meets a girl called Tarni who is looking for her sister who disappeared. They travel to many places and meet lots of people who help them on their journey. I quite liked this book as it had a very interesting story to read. I would recommend this book to people who like mysteries

Nat
Larkmead

I think this was a really nice book because it shows how even if you encounter a stranger you should always help them. In this book Tarni encounters a girl called sienna. Sienna had no idea about her past. Tarni encounters her on er trip to find her sister who ran away. Both of them help each other to achieve their missions.

Thanvi
Going Places

'The Song Walker' by Zillah Bethell This book was addictive and I kept wanting to read more! This book was written very well and the ideas where very innovative and nothing like I have ever seen! I was shocked to find out that the protagonist (Sienna) was a ghost/spirit all along! When Tahni says "Everyone's real-just some more than others I felt that her saying this really summed up her character and how she is supportive .The plot was very strong for the majority of the book but for me it fell through at the end and left me a bit disappointed as there could have been lots of other endings that would have been better than the one the author presented us with - however I still really enjoyed this book and would rate it 8/10!!

Ava
The John Mason Shadowers

The Song Walker is an intriguing book that attempts to explore themes of loss, relationships, and the journeys people take to understand their world. The plot is complex and mysterious, prompting readers to reflect deeply. After a After a frightening event, Sienna finds herself in the harsh Australian Outback with a peculiar problem to solve. Just when things seem to be at their most challenging, she meets Tarni, who is searching for her older sister, Brindabel. Together, they embark on an adventure that is filled with cultural experiences and imaginative elements. The book's realistic and imaginative storytelling makes it a fascinating read.

Talya
Fortismere

The story was very slow paced and it felt confusing to read. The ending was quite rushed. I would give this book a 3/5 stars.

Bella
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

A girl wakes up in the middle of the Australian outback with no idea who she is or how she got there. Then she is found by Tarni, a First Nations girl on her own journey. The two quickly become friends as Tarni begins to teach her how to survive in the vast outback. My favourite thing about this book is the fact that I learnt about First Nations culture as I read it. Before reading this book my knowledge was very limited but I enjoyed learning more. The book was amazingly written and I particularly loved the characters. There really wasn’t very much I didn’t enjoy! My only real gripe was the ending. The plot twist felt out of place and like a last minute edition. I also didn’t like the supernatural element it added to a book that until then had been entirely based in reality. Apart from that, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

Fiona
SCC Prolific Bookers

‘The song walker’ is a great book about survival and finding yourself, I particularly liked the fact that they even gave us a glossary of all of the words we may or may not know! This book is very well engaged with the reader along with a very easy story line to follow too. Overall, I believe this book is great and it’s good for all ages as there are references for everyone! 5 stars!

Morgan
TTS Readers

A great book exploring aboriginal Australians professional music and the effects of memory loss. quite a mysterious and spiritual book it shows the beauty of the aboriginal community in Australia .

sam
Plumites

IT WAS A REALLY GOOD BOOK ! I READ THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS WITHIN A DAY I LIKED HOW IT WAS SET IN AUSTRALIAN OUTBACKS. I LOVE HOW IT USES LOTS OF DESCRIPTIVE WORDS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY

MIA
The Book Club

I enjoyed this book because I could not predict that they were all spirits until it told me and I liked how it gradually gave us information about Sienna so it let us guess about it. I also liked the setting of the desert as they had to fight for survival.

lucas
The Hinckley Shadowing Group

I enjoyed reading The Song Walker. I really enjoyed coming along on Sienna's journey and I really liked the setting of the book and I would definitely recommend.

Penny
Weald of Kent Tonbridge

'The Song Walker' by Zillah Bethell is a book I will remember for a long time. A very original story plot that had me gripped from the first page. I can imagine this being made into a movie, it was that ‘deadly’, as Tarni would say. I loved the way I learned something new about the aboriginal ancestors and how they made their way across the Bush without maps; about their history and how they survived the harsh environment. I especially liked the appreciation of the different intelligences - Tarni and her ability to navigate the vast, beautiful landscape and Magpie, or whatever she is called, whose skills are more hidden in the outback. As their friendship grows you know that it’s a friendship that will last a lifetime - as their song will (you’ll find out more when you read it). The Song Walker just makes me want to read Zillah’s other book, The Shark Caller because it takes you to another place I would love to visit!

Mrs Lucas
Marshland Readers

I really enjoyed the Song Walker: it was probably my favourite Carnegie book! I was constantly kept on edge, wanting to know more about the character's past, but also enjoying the book as a whole. The author did really well making the reader feel for the MC and Tarni's relationship, and despite the fact that the story was mostly just them trekking along the desert, I still found it very engaging and was gripped by the story. I like how the MC thought she stole the stradivarus, and then realised she didn't. I also liked the plot twist where Tarni revealed that she had known for a while who the MC was. The ending, where she realised about all the spirits was nice, but I wish the author had written a reunion between the MC and her family! Overall though, it was a really nice, sweet, wholesome book that didn't fail to lighten my day!

Delana
Perse Carnegians

This book is about a girl who wakes up in the middle of the Australian bush one morning and has no idea who she is or how she got there. As she travels through the bush, she has dreams of visions to help her remember who she is. This is a really good book and once you start reading it you just can't stop.

Joseph
Reader Leaders

In this story we follow a girl who has lost her memory. We join her on her journey through the outback in Australia, as she tries to find out who she is. I liked this book because it had a lot of description, although, at times, slightly repetitive. The memories coming back to the girl were very gradual, so you have to wait until the end to find out who the girl actually is. It was also quite easy to read, so it is good for readers 8+.

Isobel
Thorpe Hall Readers

Fatima
Rad readers

This book was very well written. The structure and vocabulary portrayed the idea the writer was trying to create very well. It was very shocking about the girl but was also quite sad. Overall it was very good.

Ryan
Ermysted’s

I love 'The Song Walker' because it's one of the best adventure stories that I have ever read. It's filled with discovery, mystery and an unlikely but simple friendship that is unique, heartwarming and proves that one can find friends in the most unlikely places. It's amazing to watch how both Tarni and Sienna(or better known as Tidda) explore aspects of themselves that they had never known existed before. They both learn kindness and respect and both experience grief. Another intriguing feature of the book is its hover between reality and imagination. It really makes you think closely about what actually exsists and what should exsist. Perhaps everything is a figment of our imagination- if we want it to be? Can we actually define reality?

Aarna
Mansell Library Reviewers

Review: 4/5 This was a surprise! I really loved Sienna and Tarni's friendship (even though they had too many arguments in my opinion) and the premise was interesting. However the bit about the ghosts was a bit hard to understand - so was Tarni searching for nothing? Either way, I still enjoyed this book.

Hazel
County Shadows

This one was my favourite and I plan on reading it again, I like it because it's like I was trying to figure the mystery out myself along side the characters.

Suzie
Ossett Academy LRC

Zillah Bethell’s novel The Song Walker is an utterly ingenious piece of literature that highlights notions of bereavement, the cultivation of relationships, and the mental and physical voyages humans embark on to nurture their personal perception of reality. With a labyrinthine plot shrouded in ambiguity and a mystifying ambience, the tale is the narration of protagonist, Sienna. Following a harrowing turn of events, she is left confined to the reigns of the relentless, austere landscape that is the Australian Outback, a peculiar case in hand. At the brink of passing, though, she fortunately encounters Tarni, an indigenous First Country adolescent in pursuit of her elder sibling, Brindabel. This unfurls to form an intricately woven, cultured experience, imparted in a deeply imaginative but plausible voice. At times perplexing yet bewitching nonetheless, I saw the conclusion of the novel as hastily completed and relatively vague in comparison to the fore-chapters.

Lily-Rose
Fortismere

I liked "the Song Walker" but I found the ending very disappointing. I think that, as a reader, I really wanted Sienna to either stay with Tarni or go back and live with her parents, but not her being dead all along! Knowing that, I had to reread the book and it felt weird that a spirit was the narrator. Nevertheless, the storyline was very captivating and Zillah Bethell must have studied a lot about the First Country to write this novel.

Arthur
EJM Carnegie Crew

I really enjoyed the Song Walker. I thought it was an amazing book and I loved the plot. A plot where the main character (Sienna) doesn't know who they are is quite brilliant. I loved the beginning and the middle of the book because the beginning hooked me in. The middle was great because it began to slowly show us the personality development of the two characters. However, the ending wasn't quite as great as the start and the middle. This is for two reasons, because firstly, I have no clue if Sienna is dead, for how long she has been dead for and whether the art gallery at the end is imagination or not. For all I know she could've been dead all book! It was very confusing. Secondly, I didn't like that the whole book was just Tarni's imagination. It's like saying everything was a dream!!! But overall, the Song Walker was a brilliant book which I would recommend to everyone my age. 4.25/5 stars.

Sulayman
Perse Carnegians

Very interesting book, which I would recommend for the majority of people. The book has lots of questions, twists and unexpected points. With all of these qualities, it's even more enjoyable for the reader. Although it begins to get confusing near the end, it's a heartwarming story of a friendship. I would definitely read this again.

Isabelle
CTA Book Club

I rate this book 4/10 because I didn't get attached to the story and it was a very hard and slow read.

Connor R
Ermysted’s

I found this book amazing. The amazing mix of cultural and flashback plot was fabulous .Fabulous, because it made me feel what Sienna was feeling like. And...when we figured out that Tarni's sister was now a soul and most of the things they were encountering were not real but mythical , made me say, "Wow!" The main thing that made this book unique, was that Sienna's past life was so intriguing ,Madam Petrovosky and the special case she carried....it was just really good. Thanks for investing hours for this book as it really changed the genre of the book I will be interested in. Thank you!

Manya
SuAS Shadows

I think this book was fantastic! Although the end was the most exciting part of the story, many details in the journey kept me going. I loved the mix of supernatural and the reality of surviving in the hostile desert. I would recommend this book to people that like learning about different culture and the ways of living in different conditions or places.

Harriet
Weald of Kent Sevenoaks

I found The Song Walker to be a heart-warming tale of unlikely friendship, the descriptions of the harsh Australian Outback deftly evoking the baked landscape. The backstory of the Girl was engaging and well-drawn, keeping interest as Bethell drops significant clues throughout. However, one clue was a dead giveaway to me about her background, so it was even more to glean proof! The glossary at the front was also quite handy, and allowed further insight into the rich First Country culture.

emilie
KEVICHG

The book was beautifully written and had an interesting twist at the end, one which I definitely did not see coming. It was nice to see an insight into someone else’s life. The more I read the book the more I realised how most people are missing out on small, simple things in life. It was a very moving book and definitely changed the way I will see things.

Amy
Horsham BOok HUNTers

This book is about a girl who wakes up in an australian outback and she has no memory of who she is or why she is in this place. She is carrying a mysterious locked metal case and she can't open it. She meets a girl called Tarni, an australian girl and she's also on a mission. Tarni carries a bellbird in a cage. Tarni knows how to hunt sp she finds food and water for both of them. Tarni is on a mission to find her sister who left their home. As they continue travelling, the girl's memories start to come back. It seems that her and Tarni are both hiding things. What fascinated me is that Tarni's sister is a spirit waker which lead to her disappearing.I really enjoyed the book because it had many bits that made you want to read on like the parts when the girl wasn't fast enough to catch up with Tarni. I thought that it would be the end for her. In some of the danger parts of the story i feel like those parts didn't really grab me off my seat. The end of the story what i would have liked is a bit more explanation of the girl and her parents. Apart from that i really recommend this book to people who like adventure book types.

Elizabeth
St Angela’s Reading Angels

A beautifully woven tale, interspersed with moments of the supernatural. Bethell has simultaneously captured the hostility of the Australian outback (it almost feels like I have been there!) and created a heart-warming tale of friendship and betrayal. The supernatural element is masterfully concealed until the final chapters, and, when revealed, is entirely plausible and fits the setting perfectly. This novel will always hold a place close to my heart due to the inclusion of a violinist, and, indeed, a piece which I myself have learned in part.

Isaac
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This book was very shocking! I couldn't believe it when I found out that the girl had been dead the whole time. Yes, this was quite disappointing for me, because I had hoped that she'd be able to get back to her parents, however this ending was amazing nonetheless! From the beginning, I'd been of the edge of my seat, wanting to find out who was who, what they were doing.

Bracha
St Angela’s Reading Angels

The Song Walker is an absorbing book that makes you want to keep reading till you finish. It is about a girl (Sienna) who finds herself in a desert with one shoe, a black dress and holding a heavy case in her hand. The book has emotional, enjoyable, and unforgettable parts. It shows you what life is like in a massive desert in Australia. Not only is it heartwarming, but it also has a surprising plot twist at the end. As you open the book, the first chapter makes you want to read on because there are many questions that need answering and it makes you curious to see what the answers are. The story's pace is like a brisk walk; it is fast paced and gets into the plot quickly. Though the characters do basically the same thing every day, in the story, the author finds interesting ways of writing about them. The created world is realistic, and I can immerse myself into it, apart from if it were a real desert in Australia, the characters would be dead because the desert is much more deadly; there are many risks and dangers in Australia if you are by yourself. On the other hand, the plot is well constructed as it has a journey-like story about trying to find Tarni’s sister. The ending of the book is quite rushed and confusing: as soon as Sienna and Tarni reach their destination, everything happens all at once that it is hard to keep track, and then they are suddenly at a concert and art gallery. A running theme throughout the book is that you do not know what will happen next, everything is unpredictable and surprising. This is created by the fact that Sienna does not know many things about herself because of her memory loss. As well as this, Tarni is hiding secrets too. There is some mystery in the plot too. When we first met Sienna, we did not know anything about her, apart from the fact that she was in a desert, about to die. When we find out she is not going to die, this makes you want to read on; in the morning she is found by Tarni, who is trying to shoot a snake that is about to pounce on Sienna. It is incredibly lucky that Tarni found her at that moment. Durning their journey, both characters sometimes get moody or angry, theirs is not always a smooth friendship, which is understandable as they have not had proper food or water in days, it is hard to pick sides who to sympathize with. But sometimes, their friendship really sparks and the way they go through thick and thin together is touching. Sienna tells the story; she is found in the desert from an airplane crash by Tarni. It is interesting that we see it from Sienna’s point of view and not Tarni’s, which puts you into Sienna’s skin; like this you can feel how it is to not know anything about yourself. Tarni and Sienna are the two main characters. They go through everything together; they meet new people and share new experiences. But as Sienna finds things out about herself, she realizes that she used to be spoilt and stuck up and tries her best to change, but sometimes she is just automatically like that. Tarni is a nice girl trying to find her sister who, as Sienna finds out, is dead. I think she goes out to find her because she misses her, but how is she meant to find her if she is dead? The style of the book is very mysterious because you do not know much about each character and the only way to find out about them is to read more. The setting of the story is mostly the same everywhere because they are in the desert. At the beginning of the story, when we meet Sienna, she is saying, ‘left, right, left, right...’ making it more believable that she has just survived a plane crash. I would consider rereading it as it has a confusing ending and perhaps if I read it again, I could understand more details about it. Overall, The Song Walker has a gripping first chapter, a journey-like plot which immerses the reader into the book. Everything is unpredictable making it dramatic and surprising. The fact that it is from Sienna’s point of view makes it interesting because you can see how it is to not know who you are. As well as intriguing points of view it has a mysterious style, drawing you closer. Apart from the confusing ending, this book is surprisingly good, I would recommend it as it is an interesting and exciting read.

Ana
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

"The Song Walker" by Zillah Bethell is a story about a girl that lost her memories and ways in the Australian Outback, but met a girl called Tarni who helped her and they set off to find Tarni's sister while the girl slowly seeks out her missing memories of her past. I really enjoyed this book because of its presentation of perseverance, friendship, bravery and letting go of someone important. I found it interesting as there are many symbolisations of these qualities -- like the bird with the "deadly" name of Candelabra symbolises the obstinate mind of never wanting to let go even if you have to, but it is still released at the end, illustrating the key insight of it. My favourite part of this book is the ending, as it is very creative and I really liked the plot twist, renewing our understanding to this whole book; linking the whole story back to the beginning, as the title of the first part suggests, "the end". I also liked the different headings of the parts and the mention to music concepts -- a foreshadowing of the girl(Sienna)'s secret skill and hinting what the whole part is to come. The slow but suspenseful reveal of Sienna's character is gripping and I liked the change of her name to show different views of her throughout the story. The descriptions of sceneries are also very detailed and vivid. I liked the adventure and all the subtle build-up towards the end, but I found it a bit slow-paced for me. Overall, I would recommend this book, and it's a 9/10 for me.

Rachel
Perse Carnegians

I think that "The Song Walker" is a great book that draws you in, from the first page. The story of "finding out" who you are leaves you thinking, to the very last chapter. It is an emotional read and very clever. The author puts in details, early on, that you think are unimportant, but they end up changing the whole story of the book. The author changes the main character's name 4 times and it still isn't confusing! The Song Walker is definitely one to recommend. Enjoy!

Michael
Rebel Readers

I think the Songwalker is an excellent book over a multitude of criteria. To begin, the book sets out a very clear understanding of the Australian desert as barren, scarce and uninhabited. It follows the reader's perception of a barren wasteland of a landscape throughout the first chapters, but as the city girl finds her way with a native Australian, she is made aware of the beauty and history of the cultures that throve before the colonisation of British explorers who "discovered" the lands and took for themselves. I really like the fact the book is not only a fantastic, emotional and gripping story that keeps you wanting to follow their story, but also an eye-opening tale that gives some very real factual information about the Native Australians, including The Stolen Generations, navigation and traditions within the Natives' culture. Another extremely interesting aspect of this book is the spiritual side of Tarni's culture, in which the spirit walkers roam the lands to guide people trekking it, coming as a real shock to the city girl who thought it was all make believe. I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to readers of all ages.

Muadh
Ermysted’s

This book was honestly a whole new world. I loved every single thing about this book. I loved the friendship l loved the realisation (at the end) l loved how everything is described l loved EVERYTHING! this book is very adventurous! And one of it's main focus is probably friendship. I would 1000000% recommend this book for non-readers AND readers!

Salma
Bellerive Bookies and Cookies

The Song Walker is a touching novel set in the Australian outback. It follows a young girl who loses her memory and finds herself alone in the desert. She meets Tarni, an Indigenous girl, who helps her survive and find her way. Together, they travel through the harsh landscape, learning about each other and the importance of the land and its culture. Bethell’s writing beautifully describes the outback, making readers feel like they are right there with the characters. The story is not just about survival but also about discovering who you are and understanding different cultures. I feel that this book may have a chance to win the medal as it was an excellent piece of writing and provided me a fantastic way to learn more about the Indigenous culture whilst having a good read. However I feel as that it is not on the same level as other books.

Jackson HG
4Shadowers

This is, hands down, my absolute favourite book in the shortlist for this year AND last year. I have spoken to a few people who say this book doesn't have a drive, that there is no motive to the story. I think this is ridiculous. It starts with a girl with amnesia (which is already enough of a drive in my opinion), and then they meet a first country girl with secrets and troubles of her own. I won't spoil anything, but there is a huge twist at the end which on it's own doesn't really feel like an ending, but then they cap it off with an epilogue that answers all the questions I had left. I think a good epilogue is what a lot of the other nominees are missing. This is an amazing book.

Jack
The Marlingtonians

I really liked this book and the descriptions of the Australian outback were quite entertaining to me. The storyline of trying to retrieve lost memories while surviving was interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. The story does drag on a bit and the ending was a bit out of place for the story it was telling but most of it adds up correctly. I would personally recommend other books from this author but the Song Walker was a pleasure to read.

Amy
BFS Umbra

The Song Walker is a story about two girls travelling across the Australian outback - only one of them cannot remember who they are and why they are carrying an awkward bulky locked case. They embark on a journey to find Tarni’s sister and recover the lost memories behind the other girl’s identity, in the meantime forming a bond that will last for years to come. Zillah Bethell explores the traditions of the First Country Australians in a sensitive and interesting manner, putting large emphasis on their song maps and the dream walkers. Although not much extreme action took place, the author immersed me in a world of sand and dust whilst introducing ideas of identity, discrimination and loss of culture and kept me reading and wondering of the girls' very contrasting lives. In particular, I enjoyed the character growth and development of the girls and how they both interacted with each other as they grew more comfortable with one another. However, it felt to me as if the ending was a bit abrupt and the influence of dreamtime was not clearly enough explained throughout the book. I had trouble understanding the sharp change and how the mystery girl was simply sent back to her original place without much understanding. I would recommend this to readers interested in new topics like the cultures of original communities and how our city life is affecting the lives they lead and are forced to leave behind.

Ellie-Anna
Bookiewookiedoodaas

The Book "The Song Walker" follows a girl who wakes up without her memories in a desert. Along with a girl named Tarni, she embarks on a long journey, taking on several identities while struggling to remember her own past. I appreciated the author's decision to give the main character flaws, which enabled her to develop as she faced various challenges.While there were several interesting twists and scenes in the book, some of them felt irrelevant to the plot, and the ending seemed slightly rushed. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading the book overall, even though it wasn't my personal favourite.

Thea
Horsham BOok HUNTers

A sensational story! I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of ancient stories/folklore with the modern day and the showcase of different cultures in Australia, where the story is set, which I found to be an amazing setting for the book. Moreover, the characters were one of my favourite aspects of the book, and, I thought the friendship between Tarni and Moonflower was deeply moving. I especially enjoyed the emotional depth of the character of Tarni throughout. Overall, I thought this book was a thrilling story of courage and the pacing was engaging in my opinion. I would recommend this book to anyone as it truly is suitable for any age!

Grace
Rebel Readers

I have given this book a 4/5 star rating because the story was so touching and it expressed the feelings of Sienna (her real name)and how she lost her memory and the journey shes been through just to find who she is . I liked the parts where she gained parts of her memory back it gives an insight of her life . I loved the way the author shows us how wonderful the outback is.The ending was very shocking and it had such a good twist towards the end , through out the story it twines into first country culture and the songs that they sung to find the right path. I have not given this book 5 stars because when the book came to an end the story didn't make sense because as you read on and when you reach the ending your prospective of the book changes. overall this book was a thrilling adventure and a masterpiece .

Summaya
The Reading Queens

This book was exciting, refreshing and kept me gripped until the end. I loved all the references to the Indigenous community in Australia, from their language to their spiritual beliefs. I also loved how the symbol of music was woven throughout the novel, which was very clever. There was also a lot of wisdom buried within the book, about keeping the wild parts of the world and about humans and nature coexisting. I love these sorts of adventure books set in the wild places on earth with no fantasy involved - just survival. This made this book a very enjoyable and entertaining read. However, I didn't particularly like the ending, as it was quite confusing and was a little rushed. It also felt completely out of the blue, as there were a few clues in the book, but overall you would never be able to guess what happens at the end. Apart from that, I really enjoyed reading this book and I love how it is written with so much culture threaded into it.

Freya
Holt Readers

Emily
Open Book

A brilliant book full of courage and wonder, The Song Walker made me gasp, cheer and stay up late reading! I was drawn by Moonflower/Magpie/Maestro's story from the first page and Zillah Bethell had me constantly guessing how she'd come to be in the Australian Outback without a clue who she was. It was such a treat to learn more about the First Country people's culture through Tarni's explanations throughout the book since it's always interesting to find out more about different cultures. I found the girls' journey together so heartwarming, especially when I got to see them becoming closer as friends in such a harsh environment. Even though I found the ending a little confusing, it was beautiful to see the girls stayed friends and both grew as people together. Thank you, Zillah Bethell for this amazing book!!!

Julia
Weald of Kent Tonbridge

I really enjoyed 'The Song Walker'. The writing was brilliant and not too hard to read, and the characters were well developed. I loved the incorporation of music in this book, and the whole plot and concept of it. It was very different to most books I've read, but it is one of my favourite reads of this year. I would give it 5 stars.

Ellie
Page Turners24

I really liked the song walker and I think the story line was really good. The book was written amazingly, it felt like it was actually real. But I personally didn’t really like the twist ending, but I know some people really do, I just didn’t feel that it was needed to Finnish the story. I think that overall the book was very heart warming because Trani didn’t have to do what she did for moonflower/ magpie. 4/5 stars

Poppy S
Norwich High School Bookworms

Though this book wasn't my favourite, I certainly enjoyed certain parts of the story. I liked how secrets about the main character's past are shown at a pace throughout the book. However, near the end, the main character I felt became harder to relate with, as she found out that she wasn't the nicest of people before she got lost in the outback. However, you do see that she begins to try to change her ways. Unfortunately, I found it hard to properly get into this book and occasionally found myself skipping parts. 3 out of 5 stars, Might recommend

Samuel
Kesgrave Bookworms

Great book. It’s a wonderful story full of determination. Absolutely amazing. Great characters and story.

Zach
Lionheart24

This book is one of my favourites! Most books usually start off slower but this one jumped straight into the story. There was never a dull moment. I absolutely long the part of Song Walker 'a lost girl in the middle of the desert.' It's a real mystery and adventure which is why I'm rating this book 4 stars.

Valentina Pecher
CFC Carnegies

I think that this is one of my favourite books I have read so far. This is because it shows perseverance and resilience. Furthermore this book shows challenges that these girls will overcome whilst being am exciting read. This book also shows massive character development which make you attached to the characters and get carried away with the book. In conclusion this book is a great read and really gives you and impression of the characters and shows the different lifestyles and how you can relate to someone even if you are polar opposites.

Amelia
Malvern St James

I personally think that this is a really good book as it shows 2 friends overcoming a challenge together which overall show teamwork and resilience. I also think that this book helps show people, that whatever their personal past is like, they can change and become a better and more understanding person. This book highlights this by them facing difficulties together and trying to understand each other. Overall, I think this is a really good book that also shows how girls are capable of sustaining and developing themselves even through challenges they face.

Eleanor
Malvern St James

The story is about a young girl, who wakes up in the middle of the desert and she doesn't know who she is. She meets Tarni, and they walk on in the desert - but Tarni knows something that the girl does not... I thought this book was amazing and very interesting, I loved the big plot twist of when the girl found out who she was (*SPOILER*) with my favorite part being when Tarni would show the girl survival skills. I also liked how the girl slowly began to remember who she was. I did find the first few chapters dragged a little bit, as there was little change at the beginning, but once the plot began to twist the story became more exciting. Overall, I thought this was an amazing book and would give it five stars (out of five).

Romeesa
Rockwood Reads

This book follows a girl who wakes up in the middle of the vast Australian outback but has one nagging point weighing her exhausted body down: she cannot remember who she is, or any information to figure out what lead her to this place. Confused, she realises that she’s carrying a silver, metal case which she cannot get into or see what’s inside. From here, our mysterious girl attempts to walk for a while. During this excursion she encounters a first country girl named Tarni. She saves this mysterious girl and tries to coax some information out of her to try and figure out her past life; but to no avail. Tarni helps out the girl and even gives her a temporary name, Magpie. Tarni shows magpie how to find water and food and even makes her a new shoe as when magpie woke up, she was left in a tattered black dress with only one shoe on. I adored This book! Orthough I may have slight bias as I love seeing Australian and aboriginal representation.

TJ
HHS

Songwalker was a deep, inspiring book- I used to think that meaningful books were kind of hard to understand, and kind of boring, but after reading Songwalker, I realised that these books can be meaningful and interesting! The book was really sweet, and the ending was magical! It was a great journey on which the main character changed a lot. Thank you to the author for helping me realise not all deep books are confusing!

Sahana
BIS Book Club

I loved this book it was full of emotions, friendship and mystery. It shows two of the most different types of people can be the best of friends a first country girl and a multi millionaires daughter

poppy
SuAS Shadows

'The Song Walker' by Zillah Bethell is an interesting read. It follows the adventure taken by two young girls across the Australian outback. Both girls are on different agendas but their differences eventually bring them together. At the beginning of the book, it is quite slow. Not much occurs so this book is quite hard to get into but the story starts to pick up. The flow of the story does drop several times throughout which I was not keen on. 'The Song Walker' is written in a classic style. Many Alyawarre terms are used within the story to add a traditional feel to it. I enjoyed this aspect to it.

Lucy
Marshland Readers

I found this entire book to be such an interesting concept about the spirits and that Sienna was actually one herself. This book was full of twists which is probably why I love it so much. And I thought it was so sad that Tarni traveled all that way just to maybe see her sister. Awesome book definitely worth a read :)

Liana
Ullswater Readers

'The Song Walker' is an amazing book which speaks about a girl who carries a lot of questions about herself, like 'who is she?'. The girl then meets another girl called Tarni who embarks with her on an adventure to find Tarni's older sister. Through this adventure, the girl starts to remember more about herself. I really liked this book as there was never a boring moment. I would highly recommend it.

Leen
LGGS Shadow Questers

Firstly, I really love the cover of this book and I think it is really eye-catching and represents this story ; the title shares similar qualities too. It has a good paced plot which kept me interested, however, the story at the start was a bit puzzling . Nevertheless, there were clear characters with a delightful relationship that I could connect to - and even relate to - very well. Moreover, it had a magical, cultural element that differentiates it from other adventure stories, that also made it more absorbing. I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of memory and culture through the enchanting metaphors sprinkled across the narrative; they really made it more mystical and fun to read. At first, I wasn't a fan of the ending, because it was confusing, but the open-ended feature encouraged me to think more deeply about the story and it's themes, which I ended up liking. I would recommend it to anyone who likes adventure books, and is looking for something a bit more different.

Yashwina
The Tiffin Girls’ Shadows

It was a beautiful and magical book about friendship. I really liked how the characters were so realistic and I could relate to them like they were actual people. The ending was also really surprising. Overall, I really like this book and would recommend it.

Ela
BIS Book Club

Emily
Open Book

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethel is an amazing book. The Song Walker is all about a young girl who has woken up and found herself in the middle of a desert. She has no idea who she is, why she's carrying this mysterious silver case, or why she's even there. Then, she meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious mission of her own. Together they trek across the vast desert, in search of answers. It felt like I really got to know the characters and their personalities throughout the entire book. I loved all the different plots in the book and was always excited when I found out something new through a thrilling flashback! I also liked how aspects of real-life friendships were in it, and enjoyed seeing the girls friendship grow as they opened up to each other. The book leads me through pain, frustration, friendships and identity as they search through the jungle. An absolute masterpiece!! 100% recommend to all ages.

Miriam
Blue Sky Readers

This is a well thought out book in terms of the landscape,characters and mystery. It showed the great landscape of Australia and the budding friendship. This book is a good read!!

ana christina
Winchmore Carnegie Group 2024

This book is set in the Australian outback in the perspective of a young girl. She is stranded in the bush alone with no memory of her past and no idea where to go for the future. The story shares a journey between her and a newly found companion trying to find herself in the remote area. It shows the power of friendship and importance of family. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to all adventurous readers who like a little mystery.

Hannah
SCD Pageturners

I like that it switches from now to the olden days but I don't like that you have to memorise a language at the start.

Izabela
RET 2024

Quite a confusing start (intentionally) for a book, with very little setting or introduction - it's just a very slow, yet immediate start to the plot. Throughout the book, along with the development of the plot and learning of the characters, more and more is also revealed to the reader's perspective and knowledge. In-between all of the central plot ideas, many smaller messages are also added implicitly about the world and its surroundings as well. Where the book is actually set also manages to provide a new perspective and way of thinking about a variety of aspects of life, all accompanying the main storyline to do with struggles of the environment it's set in. The main most powerful part of the entire book itself, I find, is in the last chapters. Through the book, the amount of information that's unraveled increases in pace, and in the end the entire context and understanding is fully explained. However, more about the plot is put into place, to reveal a picture even bigger than originally expected to be. The very final pages also manage to reveal quite a large message overall - it's a very moving book throughout, and the end extremely effectively plays on those emotions to the point where I personally was quite stunned. The first half contrasts to perfectly with the second, that it turns out the book was so immensely far from what I thought it was. It's a great read, but only with an open mind to be prepared for changes much more severe than what was expected.

Samuel
LatLit

I thought this book was really good because it showed Australian culture and the outback. I also liked that it had a good twist and that there were spirits . I would give this book a 10/10.

Ben P
Ermysted’s

Iqra
Book Busters

My poem about - The Song Walker Book By Amelia I am lost I am alone No one to take me home Then I see a girl Sitting alone I decided to go to her To comfort her I say come on lets go She said yes We led our way home We keep ourselves safe We arrive home to the surprise of my mum and dad Then we say Surprise!

Amelia
Word Wonderland

Iqra
Book Busters

I like this book because it has friendship in it. For example a girl helping another girl to find home. The girl that has lost its other shoe is scared but the girl that helps her - she has resilience.

amelia
Word Wonderland

I really loved the book and the adventure they had together. The way their friendship builds as they face challenges and the secrets of the girl's past are slowly revealed really keeps you on your toes. The ending is also really beautiful.

Sophie
Word Wonderland

The book Song Walker is an amazing book! I really enjoyed reading it as I found the story very intriguing as it explored the themes of survival and cultures. This book was a real page turner and extremely interesting! I also found it very well written with a unique style and words.

Arabella HG
4Shadowers

The Song Walker is an interesting book that I found really engaging. I really enjoyed learning about first country traditions and culture through one of the main characters. When a girl is found wandering the outback a young first country girl helps her fund her way home and find out who she is. However while this is a good book I recommend for children 8 plus as there are some scenes that may scare a younger audience. There are some more mature things like violence and poaching which I wouldn't recommend to young children. Overall I really like this book and found it interesting. 9/10

Isla
The Fitzharrys Shadows

Penny
Sandroyd Bookivores

The book explores the importance of true friendship and how different decisions and split second moments can affect one's life. The weight that words carry and how what we think is inconsequential might be exactly what another is longing for. A black dress, a left shoe and a heavy black case; to one who knows everything about their self, this might mean nothing. However to a girl who wakes up in a hot stretch of vast red land, this is all she has and knows for a while. Just when you think you know everything, something else has to come up.

Ademide
Cathedral Crew

I really enjoyed reading this book because it was touching to watch the bond growing between the two characters, especially when they argue and rebuild bonds. Although the end was slightly confusing, the book was really enjoyable and fun to read.

Isla
TDS Book Clubbers

I really liked this book and I loved how the secrets were slowly revealed throughout. I found the cultural background really interesting and I felt the ending tied everything together really nicely.

Elizabeth
TDS Book Clubbers

I haven’t read a book properly for a long time already, so this one’s a very good start for me. This book is absolutely amazing , I love the interesting plots and conversations and the shocking plot twist at last! Everything looked so normal and seems like a realistic situation at first and I wouldn’t have expected the ending, but wow, the ending is truly a shocking truth. Though the ending might be a bit confusing because not everything is explained, overall , I’m giving it a 5 star. Totally recommend to read !

:)
Rad readers

This book is fantastic , I really enjoyed Tarni and Sienna’s friendship. Their friendship was so nice along the trip. The ending is quite touching . I would rate this book 9/10 the only thing that I don’t quite like (which is that 1 mark to 10/10 ) is that it’s a bit too long.

Fatima
Rad readers

I really enjoyed how this book introduced both characters - how Sienna didn't know who she actually was and the writer slowly changed her name until Sienna realised her actual name. I thought it was really effective how each of the main characters was on a journey for themselves and they really wanted to find themselves and others. Overall, the whole plot line was really good. I liked how we found out at the end that it was just spirits on the journey as Tarnia was asleep and Sienna was knocked out. Finally, my favourite part of the book was how lots of different different types of people were met along the way, in either a good or bad way, and you didn't know if they would pose a threat or be very kind.

Thomas
Team Berko

I really like this book; it has a good representation of different cultures, and the mystery surrounding the main character's amnesia as she tries to remember who she is is very engaging.

Helaina
Malvern St James

"The Song Walker" by Zillah Bethell is a captivating story that takes the reader on a journey through the Australian outback. The story revolves around a young girl who wakes up to find herself in the desert with no memory of who she is, wearing a black dress and carrying a mysterious case. She is rescued by Tarni, a First Country girl who is on her own quest. It is an extraordinary tale focusing on the themes of friendships and self-discovery. It contrasts the two characters using their backgrounds and experiences. The book also showcases the importance of music and art. In my opinion "The Song Walker" is a heart-warming and interesting story that empowers the importance of friendship, culture and the resilience of people. It is a well-crafted novel and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Nidhi
Watford Girls

This book is about a girl who has forgot pretty much everything about herself, and goes on a journey with another girl to find out her identity. I particularly liked that the author kept me guessing about the girl's name and that she kept on finding out new stuff about herself throughout the book. My favourite character was Tarni because she is fiesty and kind and she saves her friend more than once. I found it a bit confusing at the end and had a few questions like 'did the girl go to heaven or did she stay living in the world as a spirit? but apart from that I LOVED the book!

Lilly
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

I was captivated by this book the whole time. I love the plot twist at the end of the book! Overall great book.

honey
Chippy Chapters

I felt that the pace of this book was quite slow. I enjoyed how the main character gradually found out aspects of her personality but I thought there was too much of a gap between the clues. However, there was a lot of action at the end of the book but I felt that there were still some loose threads at the end.

Charlotte
Broadland Bookworms

I really liked this book as it had loads of plot twists and hinted back to past parts of the book. I liked this because every time you go back to continue reading the book, you don’t forget what happened previously in the novel. I like this genre of book with adventures and journeys but based on earth in places you’ve seen and can picture. I liked the story and links throughout the book, with parts of the journey being shown in bursts like how Sienna’s memories come to her throughout the story. One thing however that I didn’t like about the book was how stop-start the storyline was; there would be a dull section about Sienna and Tarni walking and then would burst into a fight scene. However, when the book got into one of those scenes, I was so gripped that I couldn’t put it down until I had finished that section. I love the way Zillah Bethell writes in this book and it really captured my attention with the way she describes landscapes and transports you to a whole different place and takes you along the journey through the outback with the characters. This is one of my new favourite books and I have already recommended it to several friends and family members.

Verity
Bethany Shadows

I liked this book because it is has a interesting plot and it is a bit of a head scratcher as first she is given a name then a other name then finds her real name from help of tarni ,a friend, and the many names confused me. Jacob

Jacob
More Reading at Rusthall

In my opinion, this book is brilliant. It's adventurous, action-packed and i liked it because the two characters have a brilliant journey. They go through the bad and good, meet many characters on the way, and illusions fill their brain. An Alyawarre named Tarni finds a young girl stranded in the middle of the Australian outback. Tarni is in the middle of the search for her sister. The girl has a mysterious case next to her. This story is a story of friendship and dreaming. The girls history unravels and she finds out who she really is.

Ted
More Reading at Rusthall

The song walker is about a girl who is lost in the dessert who is lost in the Australian outback when someone else finds her an adventure begins. She can't remember her name when Tarni finds her and she starts to unravel the mystery of how she got here. It is intriguing, surprising and catches you at every turn. Its descriptiveness and mystery makes it a great story however the ending is hard to wrap your head around. Overall this book is fabulous and I highly recommend it. 9/10 stars

Alexavier
More Reading at Rusthall

I would rate The Song Walker a 7/10 stars as I liked the narrative especially when at the end Sienna finds out who she is and how her family is rich. However, I hated how at the beginning she wasn't really trying to find out where she came from and not asking for help at a local station or anywhere else but she kept following Tarni (a girl whom she meets when she wakes up and finds herself in a desert).

Anonymous
TDA readers

it was a really intriguing adventure with a huge plot twist and I really enjoyed reading it .the book was very interesting!

khadija
TDA readers

I loved how this book described the settings. It was a fast read and the friendship between the characters were very well written.

Emma
TDA readers

This book is good, i liked the way the author told the story from the perspective of the main character who barely renebered who she was or anything about herself, as well as that the way friendship was portrayed is actually accurate to real life, and lots of secrets are kept. The storyline itself is also very good.

Anonymous 1
TDA readers

Immy
BFS Umbra

I liked the way the author slowly unravelled one of the main protagonists identity throughout the story. It kept me engaged with the story and I also I liked the aboriginal culture referenced and shown throughout the book. I recommend this book to anyone who's looking a good read about adventure and trying to find yourself. The ending was great where spirits guided them to the place where they were meant to be, it's also great the way Tarni becomes an artist at the end. I also liked the way the title of the book is the name of the song they have written.I would definitely read this book again.

Rosellen
Rebel Readers

This was a magical read! I’ve never read a novel set in the Australian outback before but feel more informed and can understand it a lot better since reading this story. Bethell very cleverly guides across this ancient landscape and traditions, then throws in a huge twist! Really enjoyed this. A quick and easy read but deals with many themes such as friendship, resilience and loss. 9/10 for me!

Mrs Eaton
Weavers Inklings

I think The Song Walker is an enjoyable book. There are happy bits such as the girl's releasing Candelabra, the bird. There are also some sad parts such as them finding out what happened to Tarni's sister. This book is mysterious and exiting and I would probably recommend this book for children aged 8-12. Personally, this was not my favourite book because there is not really a massive excitement. It is quite a fun book. This book starts with the girl finding Tarni after not knowing where she was. They then travelled to the Big Marbles and on their way, they found a filly, a foal, which they reunited with its mother. They then had to release Candelabra, their bird. When they make it to the Big Marbles, they find out what happened to Tarni's sister. What happened was she was in a plane crash. I think this is quite a peculiar fiction book that is serious about Alyawarra people and culture which is in the northern territory of Australia. Personally I would rate this book a 7/10.

Lilly
Barny bookworms

At the start the book was good and the plot was going well. I actually felt entertained by this book and I felt bad for Tarni when she got sick. but the plot twist that made the reader realize it was all a dream really ruined this book for me. I hate books or stories that have such a build up only to then say "but it was all a dream" or something like that.

Avaneesh
Ermysted’s

I'm only about half way through but the writing style has really caught my eye, it does a great job of incorporating the descriptions with the story. I think that it also teaches you to recognize and remember aboriginal words as well as teaching you about the complicated and interesting culture shared by the aboriginal people. yet it still tells an entertaining story full of adventure and mystery.

Bop
SLS Carnegie Shadowing Book Club 2024

The Song Walker is a terrific tale set in the perspective of a nameless girl trapped in the Australian Outback; her surroundings are unfamiliar and her memory is lost. On the brink of death, enclosed in this furious inferno, the girl is miraculously found by a native Australian girl named Tarni. Tarni would give the mysterious, lost girl a new name: Magpie. The two of them would then set off in the blank directions of the safari; and along the way maybe Magpie might remember why she’s here and who she is. The dynamics between the characters are masterfully written, with depth and emotion tightly woven into the fabrics of every line of dialogue. The mysteries of Magpie and Tarni’s past linger like Tarni’s ancestors, forever roaming the once-remembered lands. And despite the tension brewed by their disagreements they still manage to push through and endure the sweltering heat. I enjoyed every inch of the novel and its world and mysteries felt real and tangible until the very end. However, the story didn’t feel particularly linear, instead feeling slightly episodic and ‘chapter-dependant’. Apart from that, the story was wonderful and dense with mysteries and the plot-twist at the end felt like a satisfying penultimate conclusion instead of a forced ending. All-in-all, I’d highly recommend this book to all lovers of journey novels, mystery novels and literature in-general. It was a fantastic read! ★★★★☆

Edward
Glossopdale Readers

I really enjoyed this book because it has a different storyline to a lot of books I have read in a good way. I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a new style of book and it won't disappoint. Score 10/10

CeCe
Cake a Book Club

Mollie
Pride and Paperbacks

The song walker was an amazing book and I really enjoyed reading it. I love the way it was written and I found it interesting how they kept secrets from each other and the way it affected their friendship. Overall I thought this book was a great read although I would say maybe a bit to much repetition.

Layla
Holmfirth High Yoto Crew!

The story starts with a young girl who wakes up in the Australian desert, who has no idea how long she has been walking or her identity. On her way walking, she meets a 13 year old First Country girl, Tarni, carrying a cage with a bellbird. Since then, Tarni has been looking after the girl, providing her with food and water, finding bush tucker and water holes for both of them. She soon realises that Tarni was looking for her older sister, Brindabel. As they walk further into the Outback, both of the girls recall more memories and soon she realises there are things she can’t share with Tarni and there are things that Tarni is hiding from her. The ending of this story was distinctively created, featuring a touching plot twist that left my heart aching with the depth of a person’s determination to reunite with their loved ones. This ending serves as a strong reminder for us to always treasure the time we have with our loved ones, making an effort to make time for them, and treating them with kindness and respect. This novel beautifully presents the impact of love and the bonds that connect us, not only between each family member, but also people with a different blood, urging us to cherish each and every moment we share with those who matter the most to us. I loved that this novel started by captivating the reader's attention on various questions regarding the identity of the girl. This book also shows the development of their sisterhood, which shines their differences and similarities, concerns that turn out to unite them in a remarkable bond, with Tarni searching for her sister and the lost girl searching for her identity. As I am much into philosophical related topics, this book really caught my attention as it involves plenty of philosophical discussions. However, this book was a bit too slow and I feel as if there is not enough tension and danger in some scenes throughout the book. Overall, this was very enjoyable as it shows the slow development of both the girls' relationship.

Audrey
MCM Shell Readers

Two girls trek across the Australian Outback, one who's forgotten everything about herself, and one who is on a mysterious search for answers. What first drew me to this book was its setting and adventurous theme. I was excited to find out how the amnesiac would piece together the details and discover her true self. However, it was the story of Tarni, the First Country Australian, that ended up intriguing me more. Both their stories are beautifully intertwined together as we read them venturing through the wild. On top of the plot, we are gifted with sprinkles of culture and words about the Alyawarre community. This is a topic that I admit, I know close to nothing about, but reading this has definitely taught me many interesting things and sparked an interest to find out more. Despite all this, I personally found the ending rather abrupt and uncalled for. The foundation wasn't very well laid out until the end, and the concept is only really introduced to us at the end. I would have appreciated it so much more if the author had added more mentions of it throughout the book so we could have fully understood the impact of the ending. Nevertheless, I can understand that the author chose to only incorporate it at the end to make it a shocking plot twist. The 'shock' element of the plot twist was certainly present, but in my opinion, a build up to it would have made it even more powerful and emotional. Overall, I would give this book a 6.8/10 for teaching me new things and guiding me through a splendid journey. Undoubtedly it would've hit a higher mark with me only if the theme of the ending (trying my very best not to spoil here) wasn't so suddenly thrust upon us. The idea and concept is so stunning and exquisite, it really just could've been executed a lot better.

Claire
Watford Girls

The Song Walker was an interesting read, where we followed a girl who woke up without her memories in a desert. She meets a girl, Tarni, and the two embark on a long journey together. She takes on many identities, all while struggling to remember her own. I liked that the author gave the main character flaws, because it allowed her character to develop from the problems she faced. The book was good, but there were too many scenes and twists that occurred that didn’t really seem integral to the plot; a slightly rushed ending. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t my favourite.

Manyan
Perse Carnegians

The Song Walker - Zillah Bethell The Song Walker follows the story of two 13 year old girls as they venture across the Australian outback to help one of them find their sister and the other find themself. To begin with I would like to say that I really enjoyed this book. I found it very descriptive and emotive. It was really interesting the way that Bethell described the Australian Outback to seemingly make it seem dangerous and beautiful at the same time. Although I will not reveal the l ending I will say that I found It very shocking and I thought that the subtle hints that the author dropped to the plot twist are very interesting once you look back. Not to give too much away, but I personally really enjoyed the theme of spirit walking. I thought it was an incredible concept to write about especially when you're in the desert, deprived of water and wondering if everything is mirage. Things are always shifting and changing all the time and you can't trust yourself. The girls say “is it my head? Have I drunk enough water? Have I eaten enough?” everything can fool you. The theme of friendship is very strong throughout this book. I found that the friendship between Tarni and her sister even though they were a part was very interesting. Also the fact that she's attached to Candelabra, the bird she has in the cage, because of how far apart she's from her sister. I think this is also why she latches on to the narrator after she finds her in the desert. The friendship between Tarni and the narrator was really well thought out and written. I love that the narrator is desperately trying to find out who she is but she gives it all up for Tarni because their love is so deep. Overall I really liked this book, I loved the stories of Torres strait islander people’s culture and how Tarni honours her community and I loved the themes in the novel as a whole. 5/5 stars.

Ava
Tractor

To start off with, this book was an amazing book filled with friendship, courage and discovery. I myself am not a big fan of adventure books. However this was honestly really nice to read. And I really enjoyed the element of music inside as I have a strong passion for music myself. There were twists in there that I didn't expect and the plot line was just amazing. It was very well written and I loved the friendship between the two girls. I also felt sad when Tarni talked about her sister. However, the ending was a little confusing. I'm not sure if I missed something but I read it a few times and I'm not completely sure what it's trying to communicate to us. But overall a great book.

Zoe
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

I think the Song Walker is a really unique book to read. What really made me enjoy this book is that in the view of a reader, we discover more events and clues reading more of the book, and what made this book special is that the characters discover more clues and event as well as the story moves on. So it is literally discovering a story of a story that is in the process of being discovered. This way of writing is really clever and interesting, and it makes you want to read on, to find out what the characters are going to find out alongside the readers, and that is what makes this book such a gripping and exciting tale. I also really enjoyed the way that Sienna's first impression in the story was having tattered clothes and only one shoe, but midway and by the end, we find out that she is a daughter of a multi-millionaire and was carrying a priceless violin. This creates a marvellous contrast to what was presented before and let's us see the character in a different light. I absolutely adored this book and I loved the ideas of a story that unfolds the world of the characters to the reader.

Clayton
Bookiewookiedoodaas

I really liked The Song Walker because it's funny and lighthearted. Zillah Bethell described the Australian desert beautifully. The use of native words was very interesting and highly unusual. This book is full of mystery and I enjoyed reading it a lot. I would happily recommend it.

Bop
SLS Carnegie Shadowing Book Club 2024

I really liked the book because it's funny and lighthearted. Zillah Bethell described the Australian desert beautifully. The use of native words was very interesting and highly unusual. This book is full of mystery and I liked it a lot. I would happily recommend 'The Song Walker."

Bop
SLS Carnegie Shadowing Book Club 2024

I thought this book was pretty good. It lost my interest at one point but it then became a more interesting read. I would recommend this book for somebody who enjoys animals and adventures. Happy reading!

Isabella
SPS Shadowers

Paisley
Free School Readers

This book is okay. Its definitely not for me ( I really don't like books based in the desert) but overall its a good book. I like its strong description of what the characters physically and emotionally feel. I would give it a 2/5 i just don't have anything else to say about the book i really dislike it.

Ayyub
Beauchamp Champs 2024

Second favourite book in the competition, I wouldn’t be surprised if it won

Artie
Macaulay Book Club

I loved this book. I really enjoyed the journey of the two protagonists and the element of rediscovering themselves. My favourite part was the ending though, I loved the twist. Overall a very good book.

Eliza
Eltham Hill Book Club

The most powerful message I took from The Song Walker is that if you can persevere through adversity, you will be a better person by the time you reach the other side. This intriguing story of grief and self-discovery was full of twists and incorporated elements of First Country Australian beliefs in ways I would never have expected. It was a journey in many ways, the most important being the journey of a girl who has forgotten everything - even her name - learning from scratch how to love and be true to herself.

Martha
Dallam Bookclub

“The Song Walker” is an intriguing story full of mystery and uncertainty. The narrator has lost her memory, and doesn’t know where or who she is; she soon discovers she is in the Australian Outback. The powerful descriptions of the landscape that she walks across are full of vivid colour. The desert backdrop is beautiful yet also very harsh and oppressive, and I enjoyed reading the passages that describe the relentless, punishing heat and menacing danger of the girls’ surroundings. The episode where Tarni and the narrator are violently sick from eating the poisonous wild peaches is a good example of how Bethell makes you realise how vulnerable they are on their strange journey across this “beautiful and brutal land”. The growing bond between the two girls is sweetly described, and I love the music theme that runs throughout the book, filling the story with song as they are guided along the ancient “dreaming tracks”. I also enjoyed learning about the fascinating culture and history of Tarni’s people, First Country Australians. However, I feel that Tarni’s story is stronger and better told than the narrator’s, and therefore I found her huge secret much more moving. Although I enjoyed “The Song Walker”, it took me quite a while to get into the story, and overall I found it a slow read, even despite the intriguing build-up and gradual unfurling of secrets. Furthermore, the ending itself felt a bit rushed, and for me the massive twist would have had more impact if there had not been so many clues scattered along the way.

Arthur
Tractor

Whilst it was aimed at slightly younger readers, I really enjoyed this book. The ending was beautiful, even if it confused me a bit, and the entire book was a beautiful celebration of Australian First Country (Aboriginal) culture. It also reminds the reader to not take modern cities and technologies for granted and I enjoyed how the journey reflected the two main characters' developing friendship.

Eve
St Kaths

The Song Walker is an extraordinary example of how books can open our eyes to discrimination and ideas people would not often think about. A young girl walks through a dusty, flat, red landscape beneath a blazing sun. She wears a black dress, one shoe, carries a heavy awkward case and as she struggles with exhaustion and pain she has no idea where she is. More importantly she has no idea who she is. She soon meets Tarni, a First Country Australian girl on a journey of her own, and together the two girls embark on a trek across the vast Australian Outback in search of answers.

Ben
KES Bookworms

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as I always wanted to know more about what was going on. The author did a great job at giving a sense of suspense and inquisitiveness by hiding secrets that the girls had. I liked how the secrets were slowly revealed, chapter by chapter, giving the book its depth in character. The book is about a girl who has woken up completely disorientated (she has even forgotten her own name) in the middle of the dessert. Fortunately for her, a girl named Tarni comes across her while she’s travelling. They both become friends and go on an adventure! What I loved the most about the book is the maps. Instead of using a physical map, they use a mental map of song! Creative and clever!

Devak
Perse Carnegians

At first, I wasn’t very keen on this book as there wasn’t much of a plot unfolding at the beginning, however, as I kept reading, the plot all started adding up - I actually really enjoyed this book. ‘The Song Walker’ is about a girl and her unlikely friend, Tarni. Each on their own mission and alone (with a Candelabra as companion), in the middle of the Australian outback, the girls use ‘dreaming tracks’ to find their way around. Once in a while they find people who help them; and in some cases, nurse them back to health. This book is a wholesome and charming book which I didn’t expect to like, but towards the end, I found it quite enjoyable.

Florence
SHSK Shadowers

This story follows the journey of Moonflower/Magpie/Sienna and her mysterious appearance in the Australian Outback. The young girl has no idea who she is or where she is but when she meets Tarni, she starts to discover more about her identity. As the girls walk the treacherous journey in the hot desert, they both explore each others secrets and create a friendship like no other. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in one day. It was a beautifully written story with so many unexpected surprises! At first I thought the novel was going to be very repetitive and boring as I did not know how a story of walking through a desert could be made interesting! However, as we began to meet new characters and discover the girls past and the story of the town of Karlu Karlu, the story was very exciting and I could not put it down! I loved the "spirit walker" aspect at the end and it came as a big surprise as I was not expecting it. This story is very well written and suitable for ages 9+. This book was the last novel I read out of all 8 Carnegie books and it definitely was worth the wait! 9.5/10 stars.

Lola
PGHS Shadowers

This is my favourite book out of all of them! It was easy to read and I got through it (regretfully) quite quickly. I loved the personalities of the character and the 'spirits' and I really enjoyed some of the stories told of Tarni's culture. My answer for Question 4 (at the back of the book) is that there was a definite transition that became apparent after their argument: Magpie had picked up skills from Tarni, however Tarni needed Magpie still. I think the epilogue could have had a bit more but apart from that, it was the best out of the 4 that I have already read!!

Phoebe
Ousedale Shadow Chasers

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethall is an amazing book of music and friendship of two girls, one lost and one searching. I love the way music connects with Tarni's past and culture as nowadays we just like songs almost for the sake of it but Tarni's melodies have a deeper meaning and help her reach her destination. I also like the way it says music should be from the heart and not just from the brain. I would recommend this to young teens, especially musicians who are learning music.

Chloe
UoBS Bookworms

She has three main questions: Where am I? What am I doing here? Who am I? Then she meets a girl who helps her. Her knowledge about where she is and what she is trying to do impresses her. Over the book she is given five names, one her true name, one she falls in love with and three are false names. Tarni is her best friend who gives her the name she loves: "Tidda". It means best female friend. Tidda has a big mystery to solve and she is lucky she has an amazing friend to do it with.

Anna
Cathedral Crew

I liked the fact that this books includes definitions for words that the author believes people wouldn't know but are relevant to the book and how they use Tarni's native tounge however apart from that, I wasn't a fan of the book because I found it a bit boring.

William
Beauchamps Bookbusters

'The song walker' is a brilliant book set in the Australian outback. This book was really fun to read with amazing literary techniques and fantastic imagery bringing awe and wonder to the book. The plot was so gripping that I couldn't put the book down! I loved the twists and turns at towards the end and how the author makes you think things a certain way and then shocks you with the most genius twists. I would definitely recommend this 'deadly' and heartfelt book.

Lucia
Bennett Memorial Book Club

'The Song Walker' is an amazing book about true friendship .The book based on a girl who doesnt remember who she is and how shes ended up in a vast desert . On her wander about , she met up with a girl named Tarni . Throughout the book, secrets start to unravel . Overall I rate this a 4/5 because the story plotline is really good and creative and the journey that the main character and Tarni face are quite relatable and imaginable at the exact same time . However the twist of the book is stretchd out really long and makes the book feel longer for the main plot to begin . I do recomend this book to someone who enjoys reading about frienships with hidden secrets .

Paula
Lionheart24

This book was the most unique, it had a bit of flair with two completely different characters, one who is found in the middle of the outback with one shoe, a mysterious case and Tarni who is a charismatic and brave girl wandering the desert in hope for answers. The story is very clever with us learning things about the characters as the story goes along. My only criticism with the vibrant book is that the ending was very strange and it didn't really fit with the rest of the book, It took me a few tries to understand it fully.

Amy
Page Turners24

Song Walker is so excellent that I think everyone interested in Australian aboriginal culture should read it. It is a quest where two very different girls find friendship and help each other through growing up. The plot also helps us discover aboriginal traditions such as how to find food and survive in the desert. My favourite moment was when the girls reach the "Mermaid camp" and get some rest.

Cosima
Sandroyd Bookivores

The song Walker is an interesting and enjoyable book. The book has many plot twists throughout including arguments between the two main characters Tarni and Sienna. Sienna is lost in the outback and meets Tarni who tells her lots of mysterious stories about spirits that walk across the land, Sienna doesn't remember who she is until later in the book but she has small flashbacks throughout the novel. The ending of this book is a complete plot twist where Sienna finds out that she is a spirit and Tarnis's sister who they have been looking for is also a spirit. The novel's ending resulted in Sienna finding out her identity but also changing herself for the better perfecting her once rude personality. The main message of the story was to not take everything for granted as Sienna did in her earlier years. Overall this is an entertaining novel that will take readers for surprise in its variety of plot twists. The author does this effect to create tension in the novel which is reflected in the main characters. From Zayn Hussain

Zayn
SuAS Shadows

The start of 'The Song Walker' feels quite confusing at first, with it placing you in the Australian outback with no information. At first it feels like a chore, but as you read through, you want to read more of it, which admittedly is the effect of most books I've read. But overall, the parts I've read so far have been enjoyable.

Dylan
Beechen Cliff

I really enjoyed this book especially the way in which the characters developed together. I thought the writers style of writing was nice and easy to read although did include great vocabulary

Ffion
St Mary’s RC High

The Song Walker is a story following two girls across the Australian outback – one is a nameless city girl suffering from amnesia, and the other a First Country girl, mapping her way across the landscape using the songs of her ancestors to guide the way. I loved that this book used First Country terminology (and appreciated the guide at the front of the book!). The descriptions of the outback, and the vegetation and animals living there made the story come alive. It really proved the point that the outback isn’t just huge stretches of sand. On the other hand, because the story was so far out of my experience, I found it hard to connect with the characters, and while I appreciated that Magpie recognised her character flaws fairly early on, she didn’t really do anything to address her entitled behaviour. I found it quite frustrating that she didn’t really develop any new skills and expected Tarni to provide everything needed for her survival. The ending also left me with a few unanswered questions which limited my enjoyment of the story. I think this book will be the perfect story for some readers, but for me it was just OK.

Mrs Sirrelle
BFS Umbra

This book left me with lots of questions. I loved the story and the worldbuilding, but nothing was explained very well at the end. It almost was either said outright or left for the reader to figure out. This is probably my favourite Carnegie book as the description of the outback and the use of Alaywarre terms makes you feel like you are in Australia with them. Overall, I would rate this book an 8.5 out of 10. The plot twist at the end kind of made me feel confused as it wasn't a typical "happily ever after" ending.

Lucian
Ermysted’s

Louise
Book Busters

'The Song Walker' is an interesting book and idea. However, I found the start hard to get through as it was a slow pace. Speaking of the pace, I found it changed between being quick and slow which made it hard to read. Pace aside, I found the slow release of memories intriguing and they can allow the reader to try and infer information from them. Overall, I'd give this book 3/5 as, while it was a captivating concept, personally I found the pace distracting and the setting got boring after a while.

Beth
Consett Academy

I really liked this book, it had a great story and characters. Something I particularly liked about the story was that you couldn't tell at all that Tarni's sister wasn't alive, and that Sienna was actually a really rich and famous violinist. Another thing I liked about this was Candelabra, as I feel this was a metaphor for the whole story journeying and eventually being set free. Overall, I would rate this book a 10/10.

Jairaj
Ermysted’s

This book was amazingly written, apart from maybe a slightly strange ending. The start and the end of this book were well thought out pieces of work, always ending a chapter on a note of intrigue or suspense that carried throughout the story. The end of the book was written rather strangely as it is found that Sienna is really a spirit who didn't even know it herself, and that many people they met along the way are too. This idea would have been better or stronger if the author had referenced spirits pretty much at all earlier in the book. It almost feels as if the author panicked because she couldn't think of an ending, came up with this, then wasn't bothered to go back and edit the book so it seemed more of a possibility. Overall I would give this book a 7 out of ten.

Rory
KES Bookworms

The song walker is an amazing story about a girl who wakes up in a unfamiliar place with no idea who or where she is. The only sign of her unknown past is her case she carries. She meets another girl her age who decides to name her Moonflower until she can remember her real name. She tries to help Moonflower remember her past and they go walking together in deserted Australia. The twist is, they are both keeping secrets...

Becca
Woking High Flyers

I found this book incredibly entertaining and captivating as it is detailed and very well written .It tells the story of a young girl who wakes up without knowing where she is. She befriends a girl named Tarni, and together they embark on an adventurous journey across the desert.

Lababidi Aya HG
4Shadowers

This book is not something i would normally read. It's alright. I really liked the twist at the end and wish they expanded more on that.

Chiziteremiheoma
Beauchamp Champs 2024

I absolutely enjoyed it as it was a really suspenseful book that incorporated some unique elements. The idea of a girl loosing her memory, and otherwise contrived plot point, was skillfully handled and accentuated the thrilling aspect of the book.

Kethlynn
Rad readers

I loved this book. It explored the true meaning of friendship when two girls, who have only just met, work as a team to make their way through the barren land of the Australian outback. The only part I wish were different was the ending as it is very disappointing and in my opinion, it is not needed.

Jonny
St. George’s Dragon Readers

I found the writing to be absolutely impeccable and the story was so original. The author sets up the setting and characters emotions so wonderfully. I recommend. :D

dani
Trinity Book Club

this book was very good! i really enjoyed the twist ending

samantha
Trinity Book Club

I found The Song Walker to be a very interesting book full of a lot of plot twists, however I thought it was a bit slow paced. For example, within the first few chapters we had not found out much about the characters making it harder to have a connection with them. I also think the book was quite unpredictable as we didn't have much context of the characters but suddenly found out new things making us want to read more. I feel as if this book is perfect for an age range 11-14 which I really liked. I ended up giving the book a 7/10 rating.

Nova
Camden School for Girls

Sofia, Bella and Emma G
BFS Umbra

The book was for me as I love mystery books and in a way this book was one of them. The setting in the Australian Outback really made me as a reader wonder about the characters and the secrets they hide from each other.I found the relationship between the two different girls intriguing with the ways they reacted with each other at different times in the story. They both help each other on their journeys and they become friends for life. This should be the winner .

Hasifa
To Read Or Not to Read

An amazing book that kept me wondering: is this real or not? A girl finds herself in the outback wearing a black dress, one shoe and carrying a musical instrument case. She has no idea how she got there or who she is or what's in the case. Enter Tarni, a spirited and well equipped First Country girl from the town of Utopia who is also carrying a bird cage with the injured Candelabra within. Tarni knows her way by a song that gives her the directions she needs, later she has to make her own song. Tarni takes the girl on her own trip to find her sister. Tarni has what it takes to survive in the Outback and they go to people on the way that she knows as well as encountering some thrill with the 'Drongos' in pursuit. Through the story the girl pieces together memories to who she is and both girls need to work out what is real and what is spirit, amazing!

Mrs. P
Cake a Book Club

This book book takes a while to get into and to get hooked on but you will be quite shamelessly glued around the 30% mark! i thought the song walker was a little bit immature for the general Carnegie age group and also a little too simplistic. the plot twists were a bit too predictable and i wasnt sure how they linked back to the main theme. Zilliah Bethell can write such good dialogue and scenes, though!! all the subevents had their own sort of “special author’s touch” that made it really gripping and unique. A very enjoyable book overall, just would recommend for a younger age group!

lara
PGHS Shadowers

I think that this book was captivating and really explored the lifestyle of some first country Australians. I feel that the book's storyline built and built, so it was easy to follow but in the end had a complex ending. The overall theme of friendship was clear and it was interesting how, as the book went on, Tarni begins to rely on Sienna . I loved the fact that by the end you are questioning who was real and who were spirits, and still get a glimpse into how the girls still have a bond. Overall, I think that this book was very interesting and I would read other books written by the author.

Isla
AKS Carnegie

Tarni finds a strange girl in the middle of the Australian outback who has a torn dress, one shoe and a strange violin case. They journey through the desert as Tarni uses her ancient ancestors songs to guide them on the journey to discover who she is, what she is doing here and why she has a violin case. I found this book hard to get into with it starting slow but as the story unravelled I became engaged in their treacherous journey.

Ozzy
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

At the start of the book a girl finds that she's in the middle of nowhere along with with a strange case, that needs a code to open it. She is so lost that she doesn't even know who she is. Luckily, she is found by a girl called Tarni and Tarni saves her life and decides to call her moonflower. To find out who she is Moonflower decides to follow Tarni, who was is on a mysterious journey to find someone else. That someone is actually Tarni's sister, she has been gone since she had an argument with her mother. Moonflower has some of her memory back and manages to open the case that has a violin in it. Moonflower remembered about a women that she thinks has killed and the women was called Madame Petrovsky, but when they arrived at the gas station the moment of truth has been released. Moonflower is actually called Sienna. She was very famous for being good at playing the violin. Now Sienna knows everything about herself she helps Tarni find her sister.

HD
EDA Book Legends

SPOLIERS: "The Song Walker" is a magical adventure that follows Moonflower, a young girl with a special gift for music. Moonflower is alone, wandering through the wild landscape, when she encounters Tarni, a First Nation Australian girl on a journey to find her sister. Tarni invites Moonflower to join her, giving her a name and guiding her through the unseen 'Dreaming Tracks.' As Moonflower and Tarni traverse the land, they embark on a journey of discovery and friendship, while also teaching the reader about Australia's history and ancient beliefs in 'The Dreaming.' Along the way, readers learn about the rich culture and traditions of the First Nation people, as well as the beauty of the Australian landscape. Filled with vibrant characters and enchanting landscapes, this book is a captivating tale of self-discovery and hope. Through Moonflower and Tarni's adventures, readers are drawn into a world of magic and mystery, where music has the power to shape the future. With its lyrical prose and captivating storytelling, "The Song Walker" is a book that will resonate with readers of all ages. It's a magical journey that will leave you spellbound from beginning to end. Overall, I would give it a 8.5/10!

Sivithi
Plashet School

The book " The Song Walker" is a amazing, wild adventure themed plot which is based in the Australian Outbacks when a young girl wakes up not knowing who she is or where to go until she stumbles across a girl around the the same age as herself who seems to know a lot about this strange place. Together the two girls trek across the Australian Outbacks, exploring, eating and finding comfort in one another. This extraordinary story of friendship, courage and discovery is one of the best books i have ever read and makes me want to find out more. This story shows bravery, resilience and much more. This book starts with the young girl waking up, discomforted, injured and scared , showing tons of emotions just in the first chapter itself and it continued to impress me across the chapters i read. Overall i give this book a⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating for all ages and because of its showing of values that we should all cherish and use one day in our life.

Ava
St Patrick’s Catholic College

The song walker was a solid 8/10 for me. I loved the description of the barren outback, it really contributed to the isolated feeling that the book gives off. I really loved the the development of our nameless protagonist, though I feel like the book deserved to have that kind of epic, walking into the sunset while music plays moment but I found that the ending had the potential to be insanely dramatic but just went with a safer alternative, otherwise it was really good and I would recommend.

Matilda
Itty Bitty Carnegie Committee

“Song Walker” by Zillah Bethell is a seriously good read! It’s about this girl who wakes up in the Australian Outback with no memory. She meets Tarni, an Aboriginal girl, and they embark on this epic journey. The book is packed with suspense and adventure, but it also gets you thinking about deep stuff like identity and friendship. The coolest part is how they navigate using songlines, it’s like a primitive GPS. Bethell’s descriptions are so real, I could almost feel the Outback’s heat. This isn’t just a book, it’s an adventure that changes how you see the world. I’d totally recommend it to everyone!

Joe
Perse Carnegians

I absolutely love reading. Even books that are a bit hard to get into are normally great after the first chapter but in my opinion, this book was definitely not for me. The blurb was very interesting and I was so excited to read the book but once I opened it, ready to read, I started to feel a bit unsure. There was a whole page of items I had never even heard of (I think they were fictional) at the start and i didnt know if they were important in the story so I skipped them and started reading because I just wanted to dive straight into the book. On the first page, right at the top it said “left, right” and so on for about half the page which I thought was a bit annoying because it was not getting into the story. It took more than a chapter to get into and when it did it was not interesting. I felt as if it had focused 3 or 4 chapters on her foot which was irritating because it just kept saying her foot was sore or she was burnt. I ended up just not being able to finish it as I was really struggling to get into it and only managed to read to page 50. Maybe I just didn't give it a good chance but I felt like 50 pages was definitely enough to get into the book but it was way too hard. On a few occasions I had tried to pick up the book and start reading but to me it seemed like an impossible task and the book was just not helping. Some of it was very confusing too so I had to go back a few pages and just re-read or just keep reading the same thing until I understood it. The book was just not engaging (for me) at all. I am still attempting to read a few pages here and there but I find it hard and boring. The book doesn't really have anything interesting in the first 50 or so pages which I found strange. There were no tense moments either and when there was I didn't feel any tension or suspense which is one of the thrills of reading books. It seemed to drag on for the first few chapters and I was constantly waiting for something to happen but it did not. To be honest the book, in my opinion, was definitely not one of the best books I’ve ever read and probably not one I will ever read again. I was quite disappointed with the book because this is probably one of the first books I have not finished, which is a shame because I thought it would be really good. I very highly doubt that it is a bad book though, I just think it was not for me.

Honey
To Read Or Not to Read

Paisley
Free School Readers

A very good book with a great plot. It is all about friendship while finding your identity. I really enjoyed the book and the ending wrapped the story up very neatly.

TMHS:PageTurners

I enjoyed this book from the start, I was enchanted by its twisting and turning storyline as the characters grew I came to relate to them and become very invested I loved it.

benjy
Fortismere

Eva
Pride and Paperbacks

I didn't really enjoy this book and didn't even finish it because I got halfway through the book and nothing really happened other than just wondering with no specific aim. It also just didn't interest me because it wasn't as if i was desperate to find out what happens next because i just guess it would be more of the same. Although I didn't enjoy this book I think some people would be interested, but it wasn't my sort of book.

Rowan
The Marlingtonians

The book Song Walker written by Zillah Bethell is one of the most extraordinary and interesting books that I have read. This book won an award for Wales Book of the Year and Edward Stanford Children’s Travel Book in the same year 2022. I chose this book because there was a comment on the front cover from a person called Abi Elphinstone that the author was ‘A master storyteller’, which attracted me to the book. The story flow of this book is also admirable. The story is about two girls in a desert trying to finish a long journey but the interesting fact was that they didn’t know the reason why they were in this desert and they had no idea about their own identity. This book presents how people can overcome difficult circumstances even though they are young. It feels very surprising and attractive because this story flows all over the book, making me unable to stop reading it. The comments arranged on the first page inspired me as well. It made me search for another book in the series! In my opinion, this book can inspire young people due to the story being very interesting for the younger generation.

Seong Jun yeom
The Lotus Readers

I found this story to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. I particularly liked that as the girl who is lost in the desert slowly remembers who she is, her and Tarni’s friendship gradually strengthens. I also found that the themes of early Australian beliefs added to the story making for a really interesting end. These themes help you to fully understand what was going on throughout the whole story while still leaving you in disbelief at how complex and thought out they make it suddenly become.

Faith
TTS Readers

The song walker is an interesting and enjoyable book. The book has many plot twist throughout including arguments between the two main characters Tarni and Sienna. Sienna is lost in the outback and meets Tarni who tells her lots of mysterious stories about spirits that walk across the land, Sienna doesn't remember who she is until later in the book but she has small flash backs throughout the novel. The ending of this book is a complete plot twist where Sienna finds out that she is actually a spirit and tarnis sister who they have been looking for was also a spirit. The novels ending resulted in Sienna finding out her identity but also changing herself for the better perfecting her once rude personality. The main message of the story was to not take everything for granted as sienna did in her earlier years. Overall this is an entertaining novel that will take readers for surprise in its variety of plot twists. The author does this effect to create tension in the novel which is reflected upon the main characters.

Harriett
TTS Readers

Full of mysteries and wonder. The Song Walker transports you to Australia and highlights the importance of friendship and respect. A really excellent book!

Kezia
County Shadows

A girl wakes up in the middle of the Bush, with no idea who she is, where she has come from, or why she is here. Finding a friend in a First County Australian, Tarni who rescues her and leads her on a journey to find a lost person, she attempts to find who she really is. Will either of them overcome the challenges to succeed? The Song Walker is a really engaging and interesting story with intriguing characters and an unexpected plot. The main protagonist of the story really interested me – I loved how they portrayed her as an honest, kind person, afraid of who they were in the past, but at the same time desperate to rediscover themselves. I liked the way the story was told from her perspective, so we could see the doubt and fear in her mind – constantly asking “what if?” I also thought that Zillah Bethel used the different names given to her in a very interesting way, each of them representing different steps in the girl’s journey to rediscover herself, how each name represents a bit more about her, until we get her real name, and then, after that, she gets another name, which I thought could have been a representation of how she had grown after her experience in the desert from the old her to a new person. I also really enjoyed the plot, as I found it wasn’t too tangled and confusing, and yet still managed to keep lots of twists and turns, especially the final twist, which, looking back, I found was really thoughtfully foreshadowed. In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this book to others as it is a rollercoaster of a story, twisting, turning and exciting all the way.

Alexander
Perse Carnegians

I really enjoyed Song Walker because of the way it was written. Due to Sienna losing her memory we learn about her at the same school pace she does, leading to us (the readers) developing a deeper connection with her. It also makes the entire book a cliffhanger, keeping the reader engaged.

Edward
St Augustine’s Challenge

I thought that this was a very strong book. I thought that the plot was strong and the characters were good, and I especially liked the ending of the book. For me, this was my favourite non-young adult book.

Alex
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

The Song Walker is about a girl who wakes up in the middle of the outback and cannot remember who she is. She meets a girl called Tarni and the two become hesitant friends. They are both looking for something: Tarni, for her sister, and Sienna for her answers. As the story progresses we really get to see the pair’s friendship grow and the twists in the book are ingenious! And it’s really interesting to see a first country person be recognised in a book as moving as this!

Greta
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

The Song Walker is an enjoyable read about a girl who wakes up in the middle of the outback with no recollection of who she is or how she got there. The main part of the book is gripping with frequent questions running through your mind. It is also quite informative as one of the characters is a First Country Australian and the book is about them finding their way using song lines. This was a completely new topic to me so this made it quite interesting. However, the ending didn't quite meet the rest of the book and was confusing, hard to understand and it felt like the book hadn't really finished. Overall, it was a good book, but the ending wasn't the best in my opinion.

Emily
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

So far I have disliked The Song Walker, but as I have previously read great books by Zillah Bethell (such as The Extraordinary Colours Of Auden Dare and The Shark Caller), I decided to read it. I was disappointed by the lack of originality in the beginning of the book; I found it quite basic. I was also slightly confused since I don't think the heritage/ setting was very well described. Overall I would not recommend to ages over 11. 3/10

Eva
Pride and Paperbacks

I didnt really enjoy this book, especially towards the end i found the characters really unrelateable and i found the ending very confusing. I also wasn't really engaged with the story. However I loved how it showed the First Country Australians and native culture, which I haven't seen in many books.

Mollie
Pride and Paperbacks

Nahal
LGGS Shadow Questers

I like this book because the book cover is really bright , just like the adventure Tarni embarks on. She's on a quest in the outback to find her sister and discovers a girl that Tarni becomes friends with.

Willow
Plumites

This book was great! An amazing Book that handled the topic of finding one's self really well. The best part of it was the little flashbacks the main character had and the slowly building friendship between the main character and Tarni.

William
Plumites

Izma
Lionheart24

verry intresting would read agane but took mea hole month to reed it

maisey
Lionheart24

This book was a bit confusing.The book was set in the australian outback and it highlighted the parallels and differences between city life and the wilderness as well as giving history of the aboriginals and a bit of their mythology as well.

Sayuru
Ermysted’s

When I started reading I was drawn in by many questions which encouraged me to keep reading into a vast world of delicate secrets which was influenced by the past and it's spirits contradicting who and what was real uncovering many new feelings and becoming a better person when Sienna works out who she is and how mean she was making her a better person.

Eloise
Marvellous Minds at Manshead

I really liked Song Walker. I thought it was very interesting, and had an interesting, original plot. It mixed themes of ancient Australian culture, with a perspective of a confused city girl lost in the bush. I thought it was full of thrilling plot twists, with a view from both a native Australian who knows the wilderness well and a violinist who doesn't. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the ideas created in it.

Max
Fortismere

I enjoyed this book very much as it has quite an interesting context that I have never read before ,although the ending I found quite intriguing and hard to take in what happened because when you are reading the book you feel that it is real. The end was quite confusing but a very good read in all.

Luke
Tenbury Page Turners

The song walker is a Really interesting book. Each chapter made me want to read more. I found it quite hard to put it down when I started it. The book put two different perspectives together in a very clever way. Unfortunately I found that most of the chapters are rather long and a hard read, and the main storyline was a bit drawn out but Overall, I recommend it. -Isobel

Isobel
Brighton Shadows

The book flows quite slowly at the beginning but develops into a really engaging and interesting story with plot twists and conflicts as well as moments of suspense and high emotions. The ending was the key plot twist in the story, however it was slightly confusing and difficult to decipher what was going on.

Zahrah
MCM Shell Readers

The main thing i liked about this book was the element of mystery which the author has successfully done! I loved how it didn't mention many names and just referred to 'girl' which added that effect of suspense in the start. Loved the mix of mystery and friendship into one book which was so adorable. I enjoyed reading it! 8.3/10

Shara
Plashet School

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell is a unique and plot-focused novel centred around two young girls journeying through the Australian Bush. Moonflower/Magpie/Maestro narrates the story as a bewildered child without any memory of who she is. Gradually throughout the narrative, memories come back to her in occasional flashbacks until all the pieces fall into place. I did enjoy this book although I think the different sections of the plot were laid too far apart, meaning that sometimes it was difficult to engage with or get into. Also, I often found the characters slightly unrelatable or separate from the reader. I would recommend this book to readers aged 9 or above as there’s not really many content issues although the plot is quite complex at points.

Bethan
The Fitzharrys Shadows

The Song Walker was a truly beautiful story, which had kept me curious from the very beginning. It is about a girl who wakes up in the middle of the Australian Outback, and doesn't know what she is doing there. She is discovered by another girl. And then the mystery continues... In my opinion this book had lots of twists and had kept me engaged from the very start, and the ending was quite unexpected. I would rate this book a 11/10, as it was a tale that was woven beautifully.

Varadha
Watford Girls

The Song Walker was a very enjoyable read, especially towards the end. I do feel that the first half was the same, walking and walking through the outback, with only minor setbacks. Additionally, the epilogue was very brief, and I would've enjoyed more. Overall, I would rate this 4.5 stars out of 5

Ankita
Bishop Bookworms 2024

This book is very gripping and I did not want to stop reading it until i had finished. (Therefore reding it in one sitting!). It's a very interesting book as it talks about survival mode and differant cultures and the plot and storyline of this book is very unusual, a type you do not come across very often, which makes this book even more unique. The outcome is very surprising, one that you do not expect at all and makes you rethink the whole book after you finish it. The storyline takes considerate turns after various events in the book that makes you have a very differant opinion each time on how it will end. Overall, i very much enjoyed reding it and I would definitely recommend it.

Ella HG
4Shadowers

The Song Walker is just plain amazing. I loved pretty much everything about it from the dialogue, the way everything feels connected, the contrast between city life and that of the outback it was all just beautiful. The focus on music was really nicely integrated into every seam of the book be it Vanderbolt's violin being something the character carries throughout the book even though they have no idea why until the later parts or Tarni's songs that they use to navigate the harsh Australian desert, it all comes together. An absolute must read in my eyes.

Alexander
THS Shadowing

This book is amazing and I can recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery. For those who don't know this book is about a girl who loses her memory and finds herself in the middle of the desert she walks for a while trying to find shelter and the collapses What will happen next? A mysterious tale showing the aboriginal culture. I would recommend this book for anyone above 11.

jemima
Sandroyd Bookivores

I really liked 'The Song Walker'. I found it easy to read and it was hard to put it down. The author reveals parts about the mysterious girl's past throughout the book which makes it interesting to read. This a great addition to the Carnegie books.

Roisin
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

Written by Zillah Bethell, "The Song Walker" illustrates the perspective of a girl and her troubles of being stranded at the Australian Outback, without memory of her identity. She meets Tarni, who teaches her how to survive in the wilderness and the relentless heat. Tarni is on her own journey and seems capable, but soon she faces difficulties that result in both of them relying on each other for strength. In return of the support, Tarni helps the girl uncover who she is through her flashes of memories. I think that this book teaches us a lesson about the importance of friendship and courage.

Nikki
MCM Shell Readers

This beautiful novel written by Zillah Bethel, is an extraordinary story about two very different girls brought together by the quests they are under-taking and form a breath-taking friendship. Tarni, a child native to the Australian bush, is desperate to find her sister Brindabel whereas Sienna, a city-girl who has no idea where she is, who she is and what she is doing here, is desperate to find herself. Together, they journey through the challenging desert and meet peculiar people, some nice and some malevolent. As Sienna starts having memories about who she is, she realises she is extremely skilled at the violin, something she discovers by opening the lock of the heavy metal suitcase she has been carrying around. Together, the two girls overcome the obstacles and manage to complete their quests together, making an unbreakable bond. I really, really enjoyed this book thanks to its many different aspects such as an insight into Tarni's culture an show important it is to maintain this so it can keep going. I thought Zillah was very clever by not giving away Sienna's name and keeping a sense of mystery, and I thought that each name related to a stage of Sienna's life in the book. Moonflower was a name Tarni gave her, when she didn't really know who she was whereas Maestro and Tidda demonstrated her impeccable music playing and amazing friendship with Tarni. Finally, it really explored the concept of memory loss and how this affects someone.

Léonie
Euro Bookworms

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had just the perfect amount of curoisity and adventure. I liked how parts of the girls life were revealed a bit by bit, and then all of a sudden a lot was revealed. The book also explored spirits, and freindship. It gives you an overview and makes you think, how was it before we had maps? How did people use their skills to survive? The emotions are portrayed through out the story, so you can tell exactly how they feel, or if somethings wrong.

Krupa
TCOLC Perfictionists

I really enjoyed reading this book. Sometimes I feel I can relate to the two girls and I loved reading about the growing bond between them. I could imagine the journey they went on, and liked the sense of mystery created throughout.

Francesca
St. George’s Dragon Readers

The Song Walker is just amazing. I love how the author started with Sienna not knowing who she was, but as you read on, you find out more about Sienna, Tarni and the First Country people of Australia. I really love that there were so many links to the Aboriginal culture and how at the start of every part, there was a definition of a word. I can’t believe how the author was able to make Sienna feel very confused closer to the end about Debonaire and the other mirages. Amazing.

Daniel
Esher High

I think that this book was amazing and the concept of sienna and Tarni coming in contact with people who could help them with exactly what they needed at that point. I personally think the message to us readers is to have hope in time of trials. However, i think the ending was a bit rushed and it could be explained more.

Valerie
Denbigh Shadowing Group

This written adventure, took the reader on their own adventure, the mystery in this novel interests the reader very much. What heightens the interest to a peak, is the fact that it is based on real life Australia, this hidden layer beneath the lines, makes the reader want to know more about the background of this book.

Swan
Denbigh Shadowing Group

I LOVED this book. I loved the relationship between Sienna and Tarni's relationship build through the book, and I love how the lore slowly unfolded throughout.

Ugochi
Denbigh Shadowing Group

I thought that this book wasn't the best but it wasn't bad either. It's not really my type of book, but it was fine!

Emilie
EJM Carnegie Crew

really good book , the idea is great and I think the plot twist at the end was surprising and took my off guard . Brilliant !!! 8/10

Max
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

I really enjoyed the Song Walker, I thought it was very accurate to Australian culture and I liked the plotline, even though it seemed intended for a younger audience. I thought it was well written, but I did have to read the ending again because it lost me slightly but after reading again I understood it better. I think it would be good to read again and try and spot more hints towards the final twist that I didn't notice the first time round. All in all, really good book!

Georgia :)
CGS CAKE Club

I don’t doubt that Song Walker is a good book, but personally I couldn’t enjoy it. It felt really slow, like it was constantly dragging on and I couldn’t see it going anywhere. I had to constantly re-read what I had just read and had to turn back a couple pages to be able to understand what was going on. I managed to get to page 100 and then decided to stop reading. The plot didn’t seem very interesting, it felt like i had to force myself to keep reading to be able to review it and it just overall wasn’t a very good reading experience. There’s not much I can say about the plot itself as half of the time, I couldn’t even manage to figure out what was happening but from what I gathered, there’s a girl in posh clothes who’s stranded in the middle of the Australian desert (i think?) and she doesn’t remember anything, who she is, where she is, why she’s there, where she’s from, ect, but keeps having flashbacks during the book. She meets a girl (can’t remember her name) and the girl gives her a name. They walk to an oasis and meet an old guy (honestly I don’t know who he is either).

Kai
To Read Or Not to Read

The song walker is a book about a girl who suddenly finds herself in the middle of a desert with no memory of who she is, where she is from and why she is carrying a big metal case with a lock on it. She then finds a girl who is looking for someone. This book is set in the Australian outback. I really enjoyed this book as it had a lot of cliff-hangers and lots of exiting moments. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery/adventure type of book.

Eliza
Redcloaks

I really enjoyed this book as I loved how it was set in the Australian outback and made me want to keep reading. However I gave this book a 4/5 as the ending was slightly confusing. My favourite character was Tarni as she helped Sienna out of the kindness of her heart and provided for her. One of my favourite parts about this book was also learning some of the Australian expressions such as GWARDA and TIDDA. Overall I would definitely recommend.

Beatrix
Team Berko

'The Song Walker' by Zillah Bethell is a truly special book that tells a story of friendship and music. This wonderful narrative explores how first country people - like Tarni - live their lives in this modern world, and how when you have no recollection of who you are, life can be extremely difficult. I would recommend this book to anyone; it's definitely my favourite so far.

Emelia
Marshland Readers

Absolutely amazing book with an amazing plot twist! Loved it!

Tiernan
Wymondham Book Wizards

This book was extraordinary, the beginning was thought out extremely well, and I loved the twist and how the characters knew different things about their home area. Tarni was definitely my favourite character, she was determined, caring and generous, which made her a true friend.

Emaan
The Bentley Woodlanders

I enjoyed this book as I like how it had a mystical setting so it. I love the relationship between the two girls and the ending is especially good as it has a bit about Tarni and Sienna when they are older. I think the story was slightly confusing but overall I'm glad i got to read such a magical book. I would give this book a 6/10

Isla
Rebel Readers

I think this was a good book. I think this because there were a lot of big and exciting events that took part. For example, The part when the girl remembers the code for the suitcase and opens it and finds an instrument inside. At this point , I felt like she would be able to term ever more things in the story. I enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend for children around 12 and older. I think this because the book is quite long and younger children could perhaps get bored or confused.

Annemari
KES Readers

The Song Walker is an unique story in the way that you know everything about the main protagonist. The main protagonist forgets everything, so when she learns something, you learn it too. I like how different the characters are and how confusing the ending is as it opens up possibilities for lots of different endings, it all depends on how you look at it. Personally, I would have preferred it if you could see some insight into Tarni's home-life and seen her mother, but I also see how that would have affected the book negatively. Overall, I loved the book and would really like a sequel!

Chloe
SCD Pageturners

this was a good book and i enjoyed reading it. The contrast of mystery and understanding worked well and it clearly had lots of attention put into it. overall a good book

Sammy
Ermysted’s

amazing book it kept me hanging on the edge of my seat with the ending that was unexpected and really well written

ruby
LatLit

The Song Walker is a book full of friendships, secrets and courage. Don't want to spoil too much but there's this girl (don't know the name) who seems to be lost in an Austrailian desert and this girl called Tarni had found her and they both go on an adventure of their own! I would rate this an 8/10.

Samarah
Plashet School

I loved this book it was incredibly interesting and taught the power of friendship. A girl wakes up in the middle of the northern territory of the Australian outback. She has no memory of who she is and why she is there. This story gradually unfolds as she learns more about life in the outback and her purpose there. I would recommend this book for people who want to understand more about the traditions of the First country Australians.

Micah
Rather Be Reading

Maddison D
BFS Umbra

This book was a great book. I loved how Tarni and Sienna build a close bond even though Sienna doesn't know who she is. The plot twist at the end is very surprising but also very entertaining. However the helicopter crashing on the front cover gave a bit of a spoiler to the people reading it.

Emma
Fiction Addiction

The Song Walker, written in the genre of adventure, music, and culture, will take you through an immense journey of emotions as soon as the first page is revealed. It is an extraordinary tale of two girls going on a deadly adventure together. The two were both confined in their concerns, lost in their sense of existence, and unknowingly concealing something from one another. As the story goes on, the secrets are soon to be revealed. At the start, I felt as if the book lacked cohesion and was very slow. However, something about it made me want to continue reading. The one thing I noticed from reading The Song Walker is that it has a peculiar spark—ineffable to make out in words. None of the books I have read before had caused me to think and feel like this one did; it was as if the ending was inevitable but unexpected—it was fascinating. Even though this book had an age rating of 11 and up, I quite enjoyed reading it due to the meaningful backstory. From my perspective, I feel as if this book could have been even better if the vocabulary used was more advanced and had less repetition of words in each paragraph. The excessive use of repetition caused me to get quickly bored of reading a certain chapter of the book. Furthermore, I think the story should be expressed in more depth, rather than simply stating it incoherently. Overall, I found The Song Walker By Zilliah Bethell enjoyable to read, and I highly recommend this book for those 9 and above. 7/10

Subin
MCM Shell Readers

The plot twist at the end has left me speechless as I haven't picked up many hints due to the author hiding them really well, which I really liked! But it also made me tear up for the sad parts. I love the way the author has used lots of vocabulary from the First Country culture which was also very informative, leading me to discover it in such a nice way! The overall book itself is beautifully written and even if this is my first book read for the carnegie, I think this will be my favourite! I love it!

Nosayfa
Reading Without Limits (Lancaster)

I really enjoyed reading this book, I found it interesting as parts of the girl’s story was revealed, and the desert was a good setting, the only thing I didn’t like so much was the twist at the end, it slightly ruined the book for me

Eleanor
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

The story revolves around two girls, each with their unique circumstances. The first girl wakes up to find herself in an unfamiliar place with only one shoe, fancy and unsuitable clothes on, and no recollection of her identity. As she tries to piece together her memories, she become confused and disoriented. The second girl, a member of the First Nation, finds the first girl and offers to help her. She knows exactly where she is going and who she is, but she is wary of sharing too much information with her new companion. As they journey across the arid outback together, they face many challenges, including thirst and danger, but they also form a strong bond. The story is a gripping tale of friendship, survival, and self-discovery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Aanya
Watford Girls

I liked how educational this book was about First Country Australians' beliefs and culture, told through the funny, smart and confident character Tarni. It was really enjoyable learning about songlines and landmarks of the Australian outback. However, the other main character wasn't that likeable for most of the book, because we don't know much about her and the first couple of things she remembers is that she's selfish unpleasant. This makes it hard to root for her. Also the beginning and middle of the book is quite mundane and the climax is very plot-dense (it's a bit overwhelming). Overall, I enjoyed the plot and the satisfying, emotional ending, but I think that the book could have been edited down more.

Bea
Novel thinkers

Honestly, the book was GREAT! I really loved it from the start to the end. The first page was really hard to read but then I read more chapters and I really got into it. Sienna and Tarni are great characters ad I love how the author gives clues to their past. The description make it seem like I was there myself and brought everything to life. I would totally recommend this book because I found it really easy to read and it is perfect for anyone who likes mystery and adventure. In conclusion, it was an amazing read and I would totally love it if this book WINS!

Caren
WyRead

I thought the fact that the main character of Sienna knows nothing about herself at the beginning of the book makes the reader want to follow her and Tarni's journey more. Learning who Sienna is, is a big incentive for the read to continue. I thought the twist was a bit confusing, especially for younger readers. I loved the setting of the Australian outback and overall enjoyed reading the book. 4/5

Robyn
WyRead

A brilliant story. Every chapter gives hints about the twist at the end. I enjoy exploring the journey with Sienna to find the truth, and I like Tarni who guides and changes her in the story. Sienna, at the end, promised to be someone who 'cares about people' and 'laugh and cry and play with others'. This shows her change and the aim to start a new life.

Victor
Stockport Academy Book Club

The Song Walker is a story of an unusual friendship between two girls who are very different and have had very different life experiences. It is good to see the indigenous character Tarni help the lost character, with many names throughout, find her way through a barren and unfamiliar landscape and to see their friendship flourish. It was very spiritual and at times it's difficult to know what/who is real/imagined. But it's an enjoyable read about friendship and acceptance.

Jacqui
Weavers Inklings

The Song Walker was a book about an alternate Australia, where ghosts and spirits rule the outback. The book starts somewhere in the outback, where there is a girl lying on the floor with a poisonous snake next to her. An Aboriginal girl who lives nearby, Tarni, uses her knowledge to kill the snake. The girl is confused, not remembering anything about her past, or even her name. We learn that Tarni is searching for her sister (who we later learn to have died and have become a ghost). Along the way, the girl learns Aboriginal songs and music, and survival techniques with her newfound friend. They have a few close shaves with "Professor Drongo" and his mother, some shady people who are probably involved in people smuggling, who recognise the girl from the paper. The girl has many dreams about her past, and uses them to open a case which she has carried the whole way from when she was first found by Tarni. When Tarni and the girl find a shop, they buy a newspaper where they realise that the girl is the daughter of very rich parents and has just been in a plane crash. Her name is Sienna. The latter part of the book focused on the spirits that rule the land and that how respecting your ancestors etc. is very important. This made for an interesting plot as Sienna did not know anything about mystical beings. My favourite part of the book was the musical references, like the Prelude and Fugue at the start of the book. This metaphorically summarised the parts of the book, as the prelude means "start" and a fugue is a repeating pattern (ie the outback's repeating dunes and barrenness). Interestingly, a fugue is also a loss of awareness from one's identity. Kudos to Zillah Bethell! What I didn't like about this book was that some parts were very repetitive. Overall a 3.5/5

Benjamin
Perse Carnegians

I loved this book it was really good with loads of mystery

Bella
Novel thinkers

World building was incredible and despite the limiting expanse of one continuous setting it never seemed to get boring and the characters were beautifully crafted and had an aspect of relation vital to getting it right. I didn't find the plot twist as shocking as the blurb led it to believe but the build up was well done. Very enjoyable story from start to finish.

Millie
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

It was very good once you got into it. Very descriptive text. The ending was a bit confusing until I got my head around it. Yes, I would recommend it, even though it isn't the kind of book I would usually read. It was very good and I enjoyed it.

Christine
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

this book was the best one i have read yet, the storyline was clear and exciting.

lottie
Brighton Shadows

I loved this book. It had a lovely plot of two polar opposite girls, meeting in strange circumstances. The plot stayed consistent throughout and the ending left me prepared to read the sequel. Overall, this book was hard to put down, cleverly written, mysterious but then obvious and generally a nice read.

Freya
Broadland Bookworms

The Song Walker may be my favourite of this year's book selection. It gave a great atmosphere and I think it had great description of the Australian outback. I was slightly disappointed about the ending, as I didn't expect it, but in general I loved the plot and think this book should be advertised further for younger and older readers.

Eliza
Broadland Bookworms

This was a great story, told over an amazing journey. I loved the two main characters, their different personalities and how they worked together and became true friends. The book was so descriptive- I could feel the heat, the beauty, the danger and the neverendingness of the Outback. Learning about Native Australia/Australians was amazing. I loved Candelabra and the girls love for him. Was he a metaphor for Tarni's sister?- the ending made me think this. The ending left me confused-was Tarni a spirit too??? 'Still Life'- is this more dreaming?? Are both girls dead? Spirits??? Loved it up until the end. PS The helicopter crashing on the book cover is a bit of a spoiler!

Inge
Ousedale Olney

Gouri
Lionheart24

Gouthami
Lionheart24

Gurman
Lionheart24

Andria
Lionheart24

The book started off a bit dull in my opinion but as soon as I reached the peak of the story I immediately got hooked in. I liked the epilogue as it portrayed the friendship of the characters. I would definitely recommend this book to people.

Beth
SHSK Shadowers

I really enjoyed this book. At the start of the book I really liked it and as I read more I was fascinated of how good this story is. This book is a good inspiration to many people to show not to give up . I will rate this book a 10/10.

Emily
Sale High Readers

I thought this book was brilliant. The fact that she didn't know her name added an element of mystery. I also enjoyed at the end when we found out about Debonaire and others being somewhat of a 'mirage'. I loved the growing bond between Tarni and Sienna/Tidda etc because it really represents kind of enemies to best friends as Tarni was kind of not friends with Sienna in the start. I felt like the violin was a very majestic part of the story that just made it that bit more interesting. I also can just imagine the cat Violet Crumbles to be very cute!

Amber
Fortismere

The book I read was called The Song walker . I really liked the book as it had a bit of music elements for example the mysterious cello , friendships , or even how to handle dangerous situations. This book shows us friendship , adventures , bravery , courage and a lot more. And best of all there was a huge plot twist which really surprised me . Overall I would give this book a 4.5 as some bits are very confusing so I had to read the book twice . But this book is really worth spending your time on as it is amazing.

Anthew
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This book was great, I love the survival in the outback theme and the closed off characters eventually revealing their stories. I was also a big fan of the aboriginal culture because it was something I knew little about before. For me, however, the ending came somewhat as a disappointment. Sure, it tied everything to a close neatly but it felt too similar to the 'it was all a dream' cliché (I can't be too specific, else it would count as a spoiler).

Arthur
DCGS1624

I really like the cliffhangers and mystery in this book. However I found it a little bit confusing and over time the setting got a little bit boring.

Maya
Herts and Essex

Song walker is a fun fiction novel communicating a strong general message of connectivity through injustice. Although a strong message is conveyed, in my opinion, the ending is a bit rushed however that doesn't generally take away from the narrative.

Dhiren
MTS Northwood

This book had an element of mystery throughout it, the questions about (Moonflower)'s past lingers in the background. Also, Tarni's culture is interesting and foreshadows the truth. There is a big twist that is shocking and very unexpected. It was a very good book and nicely portrayed the two girls' friendship.

Lily
Fortismere

This book is incredible, all about travelling and secrets. I love how Tarni is creative with Siena's name in until they uncover her real name. I also like the secrets that you find out. There is a lot of dialogue, I like listening to there conversion . It is very interesting. My favourite chactacter is Siena because determined ( to find out where she is ) and she is very curious as, well, like me. ( curious to find out about her past ).

Bea
PGJS Book Worms

The Song Walker - Zallah Bathell In the story ‘The Song Walker’, a girl wakes up in the Australian desert, head empty of any memories at all about how, why or where she is, let alone her identity. All she has is a silver case, which we later find out has great significance to realising who she is. She is found by an Aborigini girl, who lets her tag along on her adventure across the unforgiving desert. Over the course of their journey, they discover a life-long bond of friendship and sister-hood, a bond that will last through thick and thin. I liked both of the girls in this book, as the contrast between them and their personalities yet the fact that they can still stay together is pretty cool. Tarni, the aboriginal girl, has a tough and determined personality, yet she also has a soft side for people and animals she considers family. The girl who wakes up with amnesia, I also like since at the beginning of the story, she’s a little stuck up and, fair enough, a bit scared and angry, though as the story unfolds she begins to realise her wrongs and her character development is really interesting. Overall, I enjoyed the book, though it had its ups and downs. It had a good message about friendship and family, which I found really moving. I’d give this book a 4/5

Sophie Mrs Egan’s Class
Sidcot Shadowers

The Song Walker is an incredible book about survival and the search for identity. It is very gripping, with imagery so powerful the reader can clearly see what is going on in the book in their head. I have loved every single page of this book so far, and am sure others will too!

Helaina
Malvern St James

The Song Walker was a thrilling book which I found terribly hard to put down. This book is all about a girl from the city who finds herself alone walking in the middle of the Australian outback. However, a young girl called Tarni rescues her and looks after her. The young pair go through many tests together but, with resilience, are able to survive. My favourite character was Tarni because of her bravery, courage, and resilience. I feel that the ending was a bit too much of a drastic change in the atmosphere of this book. However, it shows the strength of friendship and is an emotional roller-coster. Definitely gets a 5/5 from me.

Husayn
Perse Carnegians

I really enjoyed song walker! I thought it had a very unique plot and the book made me quite emotional towards the end of the book and I enjoyed it so much, I read it in 2 days. The book left me thinking about it when I was not reading it!

Chloe
Herts and Essex

I loved the book ‘ The Song walker’, because it was a very unique book with a mysterious plot. However, some of the story was a bit boring, especially the start, and I didn’t think the ending was powerful enough, considering all the suspense and mystery that was built up. I also loved how every person/being understood Sienna differently, and how her name changed from the beautiful moonflower, to the quick and nimble magpie, and then to her real name, which somehow didn’t suit her. I liked her personality at first, but when her true self was identified, it wasn’t very powerful and exciting. However, I liked the contrast between her and Tarni, and the concept of the map songs of Australia. I think the character of Tarni brought the story to some sense, so overall I would rate this book an 8/10

Tanvi
Perse Carnegians

The Song Walker is a book about a girl who has woken up in the middle of the outback with one shoe, a mysterious heavy case and no idea of who she was and how she got there. She finds a girl called Tarni who is from the first country of Australia. Together they walk across the outback each on mysterious quests of their own. I like how the author fused the traditions and beliefs of first country Australia with a captivating adventure book. I am slightly confused about the ending as it makes you question if everything happened or not. Overall I thought is was a marvellous book and think that Zillah Bethell has done a great job of writing this book.

Henry W-R
Ermysted’s

ˋThe Song Walker´ by Zillah Bethell is a survival novel about a 13 year old girl, who is lost in a desert in Australia. She hasn‘t got the slightest how she got there. To make things worse, she doesn’t even know who she is. That’s when she meets Tarni and together they start a journey to discover the truth. I enjoyed reading the book as it is a great story about friendship.

Eric
Beauchamp Champs 2024

Saffiyah's War has drawn me in from the very first line of the story. It is a story set in the dark times of WW2, at the heart of Paris. What I like about this book is that it explores a part of history that has been untold in the history books, and dives deeper into themes of compassion and working together at the most unexpected times. I also like the fact that the author has linked Safiyyah's passion of cartography into this book. This is a story that demonstrates the disasters of WW2 yet shows the kindness of humanity at the same time.

Miska
Watford Girls

The Song Walker was an interesting book to read. I found it hard to get stuck into, and read other books instead of it for a while, but eventually I came back to it and persevered. Despite a slow opening, this book was really informative and I learnt loads about Tarni’s culture. This book also explores the really interesting concept of memory loss, and the way this played into the story was incredible. The whole book was so full of twists and turns, I never really knew what would happen next! I loved how many of the things in the book symbolised things. Sienna was a really good character. As a result of not remembering anything, her character completely changed and she realised what a mean person she had been. Her journey with Tarni showed her a better way to be, and she took it.

Susannah
SHSK Shadowers

Although the text was presented in a very eye catching way with bold texts and illustrations around it, it felt extremely long as I was reading it as well as boring so I couldn't read more than half of the book.

Sania
Plashet School

When I first read the Song Walker, I was immediately surprised at how intriguing it was from the very beginning. The book is split into 3 parts, and as I read it got more and more interesting, to the point where I was on the 3rd part and I couldn't put it down! The book is so captivating and I loved the way the ending of the story put together the vague puzzle pieces we were being given throughout it. I would totally recommend the Song Walker to anyone my age.

Aliyah
The Bentley Woodlanders

I think that "The Song Walker" is an amazing book. Telling the story of the friendship of the girls in the Australian desert is what makes it a wonderful story. I was very surprised about the plot twist that one of the character was a spirit the whole time in the book. This is my favourite book so far, I give this 10/10.

Chloe
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

Shreya
Perse Carnegians

I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to 9 plus. I thought it was a bit slow in the beginning and a bit confusing but I liked the ending because I didn't expect it to end like that. I also enjoyed reading about first country Australians because I had not read about them before.

Isabella
Bookiewookiedoodaas

“The Song Walker” by Zillah Bethell is a book about a young girl who awakes in the middle of the desert with no idea who she is. It is a very cleverly written book that keeps the reader engaged by giving away hints and details throughout. I found that this book was a great story filled with adventure. My only complaint is that I felt the story had a very complicated spiritual ending. that I found hard to comprehend at first. I kind of wanted more information on what had really happened, and it kind of changed my perspective on the whole story. I did really enjoy this book though and would recommend it to someone who likes a bit of a more brain teasing story.

Eaden
Marshland Readers

This book was really a beautiful adventure with so many obstacles and so much learning along the way. The writing style was also impeccable and it was so well done there seemed to be foreshadowing of the last twist but I never quite realised it until the end. Speaking of the twist , it was so unexpected and so good I had to just sit and think about what happened and put it all together before I wrote this . Overall this was a really beautiful story with learning and friendship along the way which I would recommend to anyone .

Poppy
KES Readers

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the setting as it is unnusual and new. It was fun learning about a new culture and beliefs that i had no idea about before. The characters were very mysterious with their secrets that the author dropped hints about all through the book. The twist at the end was unexpected for me, different but i didn't really understand it properly. Overall however, it was a really good book that i would recommend to any adventurous reader.

Rose
Tenbury Page Turners

This book is full of rich, Australian history and made my heart swell (especially in the final chapter). I loved how the characters seemed so realistic and grew throughout the book. I never wanted it to stop!

Elijah
VISTA Academy

A young girl finds herself in the middle of the Australian Outback and she has a question, who am I? With one shoe, a black dress and a thin briefcase to her name, she meets Tarni, a First Country Australian girl who is hesitant to explain where she's going or what she's doing. We follow the story of these two girls, walking so close together but on completely separate journeys, as they find who they are. The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell is a beautiful meshing of modern day life and old Australian folklore that comes together to create an emotional and heart-grasping adventure between two girls. The book tackles hard themes like memory loss and deals with them well. We can understand how our main character feels and how unsure she is of her own identity. For a book dealing with memory loss, it somehow leaves us with more questions than answers and it's so easy to get attached to the characters. Our main character has so many different names that reflect who she is, like Moonflower, Magpie and Tidda. These names really reflect how she changes over the course of the novel. And Tarni is so full of personality, so bright and colourful that she fills the void of those lost memories. The journey they go on is fun and exciting and wonderful. Would recommend 100%!

Nahal
LGGS Shadow Questers

I found the plot of the story very interesting, especially as it gave me a glimpse into the lives of those in the Australian Outback. It was very well written and engaging for the reader. It delves into ideas about friendship and emotions, as well as exploration and adventure. I would rate it 4/5.

Verity
Norwich High School Bookworms

This is my favourite book out of the shortlist because I enjoyed every second of reading it. The characters were well written and I loved learning about the beautiful Alyawarre culture. The ending was perfect and I found myself still thinking about this book even after finishing it :)

Samantha
I Forgot the Name of the Group

The song walker is a very fascinating book in that there is a lot of discovery throughout the book. I really enjoyed this book which was full of finding the truths and not giving up even in the toughest times.

Nathan
TBGS Readers

3/5 star read. It’s a very slow paced book and it was quite hard to become invested into the story. I found the first half of the book very boring. However, I think I was able to finish it after I got to the part where Sienna finds the violin inside the case. I play the violin so this made it a bit easier to continue reading and get partly invested into the story.

Olivia
Riverside Readers

It is an thriller and exploration book based on the first country in the outback and their beliefs. Two girls travel together for weeks both in a quest. One to find her sister and one to remember her past life. The one thing keeping them alive is: hope, the songs of their ancestors and the teachings of her sister therefore keeping booth alive to complete their quests.

Henry
Going Places

The song walker is a brilliantly written book which I very much enjoyed. It isnt the type of book I would ussually read but this book made me just want to turn the page and read more. Even though the book is quite slow at the beggining and a bit strange, you should give it a chance. I would recommend it to people who like fantasy and who do not get annoyed when questions are unanswered. Xavier CI

Xavier CI
4Shadowers

I thought this book was written with understanding of other cultures, and overall a really good book. At the end there was a link that you could type and it would send you to a website, and there was a disclaimer to warn people about there possibly being names or photos of people who had passed away, and I thought this was really considerate. I would definitely read this book again.

Abigail
St Mary’s RC High

This is a fantastic story. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Australian Outback and I was surprised by the twist at the end. I found both main characters very realistic.

Mohammed
Walkden Readers

I liked the theme of the book, and its different to most genres and plots. There are lots of twists and turns that you could never expect to happen. This book was really good, and I would recomend this book to people who love adventure and mystery.

Miley
Killy Krew

it was pretty good, but the word choices were a bit weird. I'd rate it around a 7/10, it was nice but it's not my preferred type of book.

reya
Sale High Readers

The song walker is a beautiful book about First Country Culture and friendship. It is an eye opening story with a wonderful adventure and mystery and not only entertains but also educates. This story is beautifully written in a respectful and enchanting way and the ending almost brought me to tears. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Emilie
Euro Bookworms

I think this book was very interesting and adventurous. It was about courage, friendship and not giving up. I give this a 4.6 because although it took me a while to understand what had happened to the blonde girl, but now I see everything. The ending was very good.

Samah
Beauchamp Champs 2024

A girl is lost in the Australian Outback with no memory of how she got there. She is rescued by another girl, Tarni, and together they set off on a journey of discovery. This is a lovely book, with some wonderful imagery of the outback and some valuable lessons on the culture of Australia's First People. Although a little slow to start, the book picks up pace, as the narrator begins to remember things and a strong bond grows between the two girls. There are a couple of twists at the end - one of which is easier to guess than the other. Definitely worth a read.

Mrs Grundy
Greenford High CSG

Personally,i really enjoyed this book as it took into account of a new phsycological perspective for one of the main characters,fugue,where you have no clue of what you were,who you are and what happened to you.This book was also quite inclusive as it featured first world Australians,an aboriginal minority that doesn't get much light.It showed a bit of their culture, words and habits.The structure of this book also followed each chapter slowly but surely uncovering bits of sienna's past,overall allowing us to figure out her true identity during the end of the book.

Rajin
Ermysted’s

This was a really good book which I would definitely recommend to others. It isn't a type of book I would usually read but I found it really interesting and I liked the ending very much, as I couldn't have guessed that it would've ended like that. The book talked a lot about friendship and the struggles in life and the setting in a very desolate place helped set the scene a lot, as the book was very action packed, whilst being set in a place which would normally be very boring. I also liked the characters and how they each had their own strong personality which was different from the others'.

Emily
Perse Carnegians

I liked the characters. A girl wakes up in the Australian outback and doesn't know how she got there and she's only got one shoe on. She starts wandering around the desert and she meets a girl from a tribe somewhere in the outback and they go on this journey together. I consumed this book and I read it really quickly. The characters are likeable and you feel that they learn something from the experience.

Cath
Avril and Aldham

Its very interesting as we follow a girl who can't remember her name and her companion, Tarni, across the Australian outback. They encounter many different settings giving them food, water and food-poisoning medicine and also letters from someone important to Tarni. Along the way they piece back together the lost girl's memory. She goes through most of the book with different names and is while also getting chased by angry people in a truck trying to kidnap her for reasons that only become clear at the end of the book. Overall a very good book as it has a very captivating story and a very good read.

Daniel
Beechen Cliff

This beautifully woven tale by Zillah Bethell is a piece of true perfection. Whilst stranded in the Australian Outback a young girl wakes up and is unable to remember anything, holding a locked box and a violin case meets Tarni, a young girl braving the wilderness to find her sister with an injured bird, Candelabra. As they experience the challenges of the Outback, they quickly become friends. However, both are keeping a secret that could change the course of their friendship. This delightful book by Zillah Bethell as an exquisite piece of work. I liked this book because you develop a very personal connection with Tarni and the girl as they travel through the open territory, constantly improvising to create the essentials. This book is definitely a must read for anyone who is interested in drama, mystery or adventure.

Emily
Larkmead

I really enjoyed this book. The story unravelled gently and perhaps some readers may find this frustrating. I enjoyed having the time to think about differing cultures and experiences of the two central characters. All the characters were credible and the ending left me sad.

Mrs Parr
Appleton readers

this book is really educational it gives good survival tips. its about a girl who woke up on a desert and met another girl called tarni and tarni saved the girl from a snake but the girl doesnt remeber anything about herself so tarni later calls her moonflower and they manage to survive and moonflower sees water everywhere but there just mirages . she has dreams until she remembers she was in a plane crash .the dings {people in a white jeep} notice moonflower as the girl that has a million dollar reward for whovever finds her but tarni wasnt ready to let moonflower go so she told her to keep her head down in the car she then shot one of the dingos in the back of the head and she escaped.....

ellie
CTA Book Club

This is a story about friendship, hope, secrets and courage. I would give this book four stars since it isn't the type of book I would usually read but it was enjoyable. I liked the ending and epilogue as it showcased their friendship. I would definitely recommend this to younger readers.

Chloe
SHS On The Same Page

It was quite dull and I found it to be a bit dragged out and overdone. I would not recommend it for these reasons

angus
Chiswick Carnegie

The song walker is a very detailed and interesting book. Each chapter made me want to read more. The book put two different perspectives together and made me empathise different people with different backgrounds. I couldn't put the book down. Unfortunately I found that most of the chapters rather long and a hard read. Overall, I recommend it.

Elin
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd

I really enjoyed this mysterious book. At first, I did not like it as it was a bit boring but eventually I got to the climax of the story. It was very nice seeing how the characters conversed with each other even though they were keeping secrets and had lost their memory. I wish I could read another book like this but I wish that it had a more exciting beginning as it would have gripped me into reading it more.

Janani
The Abbey Readers 2024

I really like this story because it starts with mystery. The main character wakes up in the outback with no memory and when she meets another girl they lead a story of adventure intertwined with enchanting legends. Then it leads to the craziest plot twist ever. I think what’s unique about this book is the setting because you don’t normally see stories in the outback because of its setting so it was really cool to see an action packed story in a setting that could be classified as boring.

Phoebe
Herts and Essex

I personally really enjoyed this book because I thought it was really interesting and loved the way the characters developed through the book. I also really enjoyed finding out why sienna was in the desert and I thought it was inspiring. I loved the ending and I thought it was an easy book to read and also shows more about different cultures and how important family can be. Overall this was my favourite book to read because I enjoyed the journey with sienna and Tarni and thought it was a great book about friendship and different struggles in life and was also really interesting and fun to read.

imogen
OSSMAORATORS

I loved reading The Song Walker. The landscape of the Australian bush set the scene perfectly. The gradual discoveries made by the narrator, at the same time as more mysteries were introduced, held my interest. Right till the end, it was difficult to decipher what was real and what was imagined. A very good read with a satisfying end.

MrsMidge
Balcony Bibliofans 2024

Overall it was a good book. The book was interesting and kept me hooked, but at the start it gave many unanswered questions, and near the end, it seemed to answer them all in one go, not staggering it much. The ending was rather confusing and didn't really feel like part of the novel.

Erin
WyRead

The Song Walker is a very interesting book with an enchanting and mysterious storyline. I particularly enjoyed how at the end there was a thought invoking plot twist where it turned out that things were never as they seemed and that everyone that Sienna and Tarni met on their journey was but a spirit. Another detail that surprised me was that Tarni's sister, Brindabell, had never left home and had instead died all along. This gives the story a thought invoking meaning behind the layers of trying to unravel Sienna's life alongside her. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that was thinking of reading it.

Thomas
Perse Carnegians

This book was really interesting and the plot was well written. If I could improve something I would say that the ending was unsatisfactory due to the plot not elaborating further. However, the rest of the book was enjoyable and captivating.

Daria
Riverside Readers

After reading this book I was a bit disappointed. I chose to read this book because I liked the blurb but after starting it I realised it was a very slow book. After persevering through the book I reached the ending. The ending was very anticlimactic.

Henry
SGS Book Club 2024

I like The Song Walker because I think it shows a lot of friendship and companionship between two girls` adventures in the Australian desert . They both don`t know what they are doing there but one girl wakes up with one shoe on , a plain , black dress and carrying a strange , heavy case .

ISABELLE
OLSB Shadowers

I really enjoyed reading this. At times, it was an emotional rollercoaster because one minute I might be smiling so much it hurt and the next, silent tears were falling down my cheeks especially the bit where the horse is set free and the next second, there was a part about a dead girl. Overall, a wonderful story and I would definitely read it again.

Pip
Herts and Essex

I think the song walker is an amazing book. I'll admit at points in the book I was quite confused by it with all the weird words but the more I read it the more I liked it. My favourite point in the book is when Tarni reveals to us who Maestro really is. That was just my favourite moment of all times and it was just really amazing. Although I do find their ending a little sad when Tarni tells Sienna that her sister is dead. Even though it's a bit sad I think it's quite a good ending. The book is a wonderful story.

Ashley
More Readers

I have a question for you; what would you do if you were stranded in the outback with no memory, a locked briefcase and missing a shoe? Call for help? Try to remember something? Try to unlock the case? Or something else? This is the story of a girl and it starts with a coincidental meeting; enter Tarni a girl on a mysterious quest to find her sister when she and the girl meet it seems like they won’t get along but after a near capture experience an unlikely friendship begins to blossom and grow between them. Tarni bestows a name on the girl; Moonflower, as Tarni begins to warm to Moonflower. Moonflower begins to remember things from her past; first winning a marble from someone. What else will she remember and how long till she remembers it all? On the opposite end of the spectrum Tarni is fighting tooth and nail to find her sister and is searching for this allusive mermaid person who has been seen with her sister. Brindabell is a survivalist and has taught Tarni all she knows but when she runs away from her life Tarni is distraught and runs away too to follow her sister, but Brindabell is always out of reach. There is a clever musical thread as Tarni uses ancient songs to guide them and Moonflower is clearly amazed but when she remembers how to unlock the case she finds a violin worth millions instead of answering questions more begin to pop up and even more surprisingly she can play it! Many questions still lay unanswered. Where did this violin come from? Will Tarni find her sister? Will Moonflower remember her past?

Isabel.S
Larkmead

It was a very confusing book especially in the beginning but it got better. I enjoyed it and it was a good story.

Grace
Saltash Sprightly Scholars

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell is a story about two 13 year old girls in the desert; one of them very lost, and the other knows exactly who and what she's looking for. They become close, but are not telling each other everything... I really enjoyed this book! The setting was really interesting, as I have never read a book set in/about the outback before, and I had lots of fun trying to guess what her backstory was. For a lot of the book, it feels strange, because neither the reader nor the characters know who she actually is, and it is something only the author knows (If that makes sense?). You are handed small clues one by one like puzzle pieces which I really enjoyed making theories about. It was nice that the characters weren't two-dimensional, and actually had flaws, and the plot twist at the end was VERY unexpected but I loved it! I would highly recommend this book!

Sophie
Euro Bookworms

The song walker was an evocative, interesting, unique book, that really transported me to the outback where it is set. I enjoyed learning about some of the beliefs and mythologies of the first country Australians and thought the characters of Tarni and the girl were interesting and well thought out. Personally, I found the girl's backstory to be very typical and often overdone, but Tarni more than made up for it as she is a strong, sparky character but also can be seen being vulnerable and cares deeply about her sister. One of my complaints would be that the ending was rushed and felt a bit unplanned. Overall, four stars

Eleni
VISTA Academy

At the start of the book I was quite confused as to what was happening but then as the book goes on they give you tiny bits of information until you have the full picture. I liked how the author did this because it kept me guessing what would happen next. The characters were also presented well as they show the character change in Sienna from how she was when she was rich to how she struggled in the country side. Overall a very good book and a good ending too.

Sam
Horsham BOok HUNTers

It is very good but I found parts very boring but I loved how the chapters were quite quick so we could keep reading on and not get bored

Prieet
Beauchamp Champs 2024

The song walker is one interesting book. The story is set in a dessert on the Australian outback and it shows a young thirteen year old who wakes up on the dessert and does not know her past. It also reveals the ending very slowly so it's a very intresting and adventure based book.

Anaam
Sir Harry’s Shadowers

I found the book very interesting, the general theme was exciting and it was thrilling to learn more and more about this mystery girl as the book continues. I won't say much for I fear to spoil- however I did, personally, begin to get a bit bored with how slow it felt at times, but that only made every new discovery so much more exciting, thus making it worth the wait. I would recommend.

Caitlin
Brooke Weston Book Busters

The book 'The Song Walker' by Zillah Bethel is an interesting book that explores mystery, adventure and self-discovery. The story follows two interesting characters facing challenges and uncovering hidden truths about themselves. The author's descriptions brings the setting to life, drawing readers into the story. I really liked the relationships between the main characters and the emotional depth the author brings to their journey. The story is engaging and makes readers think. However, I found the ending confusing and rushed. Some plot points were left unresolved. Because of this, I am hesitant to recommend it wholeheartedly. Despite this, the book is still enjoyable for those who like mysteries and stories about personal growth.

Giselle
HAEC Carnegie Shadowers

In The Song Walker I loved how I got a real sense of friendship between the two main characters. Even when they had a big falling out they still stuck around for each other in times of need. They worked as a team to share food and resources. I also like the fact that the author also slowly incorporates the lost memories of the protagonist as the story progresses. I got a real sense of suspense during a really intense chapter where the main characters were on the run and accidently killed (or so they thought) a man. I like how Sienna goes on a literal and figurative journey about finding out who she is while also traveling through the Australian Outback. What I especially love about this book is that throughout there is a strong theme of violin music and it turns out that the author has actually composed some of her own pieces of violin music. Also the language of the Australian Outback (Alyawarra) is included which I find pretty cool.

Hannah
The John Mason Shadowers

This is an amazing book, an interesting ending and an emotional storyline. Combined elements of music and the need of survival in the wild, and an incredible and exciting adventure.This book shows a lot of mystery about a girl with no memories about her life while carrying a mysterious looking suitcase, meeting another girl that also has secrets to hide. This book is easy to read and understand and it includes a lot of emotional moments, cultural and historical context . It shows that people are passing down traditions and beliefs from generation to generation. I also liked that the characters have strong personalities and I felt I got to know them. Overall, its a really good book for anyone to read and I one hundred percent recommend it.

Hayden
Bookiewookiedoodaas

'The Song Walker' by Zillah Bethell was a really spectacular book about the journey in finding yourself. The story revolves around a thirteen-year old girl who wakes up stranded in the middle of the desert with no recollection of who she is. The story's plot continues to develop along with the girl's understanding of who she truly is. I really enjoyed this book because of the intriguing and beautiful descriptions about the Australian Outback and the First Country people's ideas and traditions. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this wonderful book as its incredible detail makes it really special and unique.

Samantha
ICS London’s Literary Lounge Crew

The Song Walker is a breathtakingly beautiful symphony that made my heart sing with joy. I absolutely loved this book because its a book of friendship, courage and discovery. At the start of this fantastic read, a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. On her journey through the desert she meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest. Together they travel through the Australian outback in search of answers. However, both girls are hiding secrets that could change their friendship forever. This book had me standing on the edge of my toes as there was a lot of unexpected twists and turns along the way. The Song Walker is definitely a must read for everyone because its such an amazing, powerful story that encounters big fall outs between the two friends hectic journey full of mayhem.

Lily
Larkmead

The Song Walker is a highly credited book and has made it onto more several shortlists for writing. For this reason, I was excited to read it and understand why it was so popular and it did not disappoint. The Song walker follows a young girl who wakes up in the middle of the Australian outback unable to remember how she got there, anything about her past and even her own name. Then, another girl, Tarni , finds her and saves her life. The pair travel across the desert together as they try to figure out who this girl is. They are met with challenges and become best friends along the way. But they are both hiding secrets about themselves and as the young girl remembers more and more about herself, several issues arise. The main thing I liked about this book is that it includes cultural references to first country Australia, something that I hadn't heard much about before. It sheds light on the hardships that they endured and educates readers on the beliefs and experiences of the First country Australians. The author created an amazing feeling of suspense in some parts of the book meaning that I got really engrossed in the story. There was also a plot twist that I never could have saw coming. My only complaint is that I didn't fully understand the ending. I felt as if there were bits of information missing and that some things remained unsaid. Overall, I absolutely loved this book because it was really interesting and I found myself desperately wanting to know more and more about the story.

Saskia
Fortismere

The song walker is a great book. I like how your sense of the characters changes throughout the book as you learn more about them. It's nice that it's first person as then it shows the main character's internal struggles and also the main character finding out about how to survive in the outback. The ending is interesting, if a bit confusing.

Ben
Fortismere

I found this book really interesting and I liked all of the description about the outback. I also liked the ending and how it was revealed very gradually.

Lara
Fortismere

The Song Walker is a very interesting and mysterious book. At the beginning a girl is in a very hot, dry desert with nothing to eat and she doesn’t know how to get home. This book will urge you to read on. I give it 8/10 stars.

Elizabeth
St James Hatcham Book Club

I really liked The Song Walker because of the setting and how mysterious it is. The story starts off with a girl waking up in the middle of nowhere. I like it because it makes the reader think. It has humour, mystery and more.

Aminata
St James Hatcham Book Club

Desolate, abandoned and isolated; a girl doesn’t know who she is, or where she is. With the help of Tarni both of them try to survive. Song Walker will leave you on the edge of your seat. I will rate it 10/10.

Chiamaka
St James Hatcham Book Club

Honestly, The Song Walker wasn't really in my favourite genre (so, sorry if I end up being a little harsh). The plot and characters were alright. I think they were pretty good starting ideas, especially the musical part of it, but the way everything was set out and described made it a little too easy -at least for me- to predict and not as engaging as I would've preferred it. I would've liked it if there was a little more action to keep me turning the pages and keep me interested. I think, overall, everything went a little too slow for me, but the ideas were still good.

Maya
Ely College Reading Group

The song walker by Zillah Bethell is about two girls lost in the Australian outback. One of the girls has lost her memory in a plane crash and has no clue who she is, the other girl is called Tarni. Together they track across the outback each looking for something; Tarni is looking for her sister Brindable's spirit( many of them wander around the outback) and the other girl is looking for who she is. The only clue to who the girl is, is a mysterious box that holds a violin. At the end of the book the girl finds out that she is a world famous violin player called Sienna. My favourite character in this book was probably Tarni because she knew how to survive in the outback by herself and was extremely clever. I loved her travelling songs and how she used the word deadly. I also really admired her for looking after Sienna even though she had no clue who she was and was completely useless. I really enjoyed this book. It was a bit slow to begin with however I’m glad I persevered with it. I would definitely recommend this book it was great. However, I did think that the last chapter was a bit unnecessary . I think that this book was deadly!

Ava
HHS

I thought the book was very good. I really liked the tropes and the ideas that were put into the story. I was confused about the ending as the time went backwards, and then it turned out she was a ghost, or maybe she was asleep, or maybe in a coma....i don't really know! But, i did enjoy reading this book, and liked the ending.

Oscar
Ermysted’s

Amazingly written, I would definitely recommend it to anyone .

Humera
Winchmore Carnegie Group 2024

This book was so good to start but the plot was very predictable and the ending was very strange and I really didn’t like it. I thought it was really bad and made no sense. But the rest of the book is so good and really hard to put down. 4.2/5 stars.

Ethan
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

I enjoyed this book as it embraced the Australian culture of where the book was set. I found it interesting that the author connected the main character’s loss of identity to the outback dessert. Overall I rate this book a 3.5/5

Jesse
Horsham BOok HUNTers

This book has many different aspects but the predominant ones are adventure, mystery with a hint of fantasy and australian culture. My favourite part is when they unlock the case that the lost girl has been carrying around the desert with her and which contains something completely unexpected. I would rate this book a 7.5/10.

Ambrose
Chippy Chapters

I have to be honest, I hated this book, I struggled to read it because I was so, so bored and because it was taking longer to read it just got worse and worse. I prefer fantasy/Sci-Fi and this is not that. Would not recommend to people who enjoy a book with fast paced action.

Evan
MTS Northwood

I loved the song walker because it had a really good storyline and the characters were really thought about and were developed beautifully. I couldn't put the book down! I loved the characters so much. They were great. I loved the plot twists as they were very clever and dramatic. Overall, I thought it was amazing!

Mia
GreatB00ks

The Song Walker was a really good book as it had an amazing storyline and unpredictable plot twists. The characters were extremely detailed and I loved watching them grow. Overall, the Song Walker was an amazing book, perhaps my favourite and I shed a few tears towards the end.

Kaya
GreatB00ks

My favourite book out of the books I have read. Amazing story line. It hooks your attention and is very gripping. The way the characters are described is great. One of the best books I have read. The ending had lots of meaning behind it. I also like how they portrayed people who live in areas like those in the book. Overall, an amazing book.

Sachin
Ermysted’s

‘The Song Walker’ by Zillah Bethell is a story with an intriguing plot about a thirteen year-old girl who has woken up, stranded in the middle of nowhere, and is trying to remember who she is and her name. The story develops as it goes on, as does the girl’s understanding of who she really is as a person. There is another important character we are introduced to at the start, Tarni, who is in a similar situation as this girl and helps her with everything including helping her figure out herself. This book consists of a classic layout and multiple chapters hiding even more absorbing plots. It is also very impressive how a simple plot of two girls walking across a desert can be turned into a scintillating story with large amounts of detail that grip the reader, pulling them into different ideas. Additionally, the characters we meet during the story are very well developed and give a vivid representation of each of them in the reader’s mind. Furthermore, the scenes and ideas in the story are in depth and thoroughly covered. However, the ending of this novel could have been slightly more interesting so it could make the reader feel satisfied with it. Overall, the story showed real skill and an abundance of detail in every theme. Therefore, it should be seen as a well told story.

Alex
Bookwizards

This was a really really spectacular book that fully drag me into it.I could feel a hidden part of my self resonating with it and overall plot is so immersive and explores lots of different things of finding yourself and it all ties together so well.I also really loved the description,it helped me picture what Moonflower ( I love that as her nickname that Tarni gave her!) was going through the different experience.On the whole, the was a really great book and I think will be appreciated even more.This author deserves this award!

Teniola
Perse Carnegians

Song Walker is an absolutely brilliant book about the journey of finding yourself. It was a bundle of twists and turns that just kept me wanting to keep reading and reading. Something I really enjoyed about this book, was the story of Tarni's sister and how she was trying to find her but the reality was that Tarni's sister is dead and she was actually trying to find her spirit. I also really loved the traditions and ideas of The First Country people who lived in the outback of Australia. Furthermore, I think that this was a really good book but I do not It is not for my age group and is not the type of genre of book that I would read. However, What I liked about this book was the way that the characters were built and how you got little sections of the characters life and what their personality was like throughout the book. This got me to understand the characters well and want to read about what might happen to them next. Siena (the main character) is a very famous violinist and has this special violin that is worth thousands of pounds. I really liked this detail in the book it made the story special and unique. In conclusion this book was fantastic but sometimes I felt that it seemed a bit young for me.

Evelyn
Fortismere

I really enjoyed this book I thought it was well thought out and had really good twists and turns and a really good ending

Stirling
Ermysted’s

This book was beautifully written, with a gripping plot and beautiful descriptions of the Australian outback. You can tell whilst reading that Zillah Bethell has really done her research on the subjects she is writing about and the characters really develop in interesting ways. The different names Tarni gives the main character throughout the story beautifully sum up the mood of that particular point in the book in only one word. I found this book very interesting to read and it is very good for exposing younger kids to different cultures whilst also being interesting for older ages.

Cecelia
KES Bookworms

The Song Walker is an extraordinary and moving adventure story set in the Austrailian Outback. When a girl wakes up in the middle of the desert with just a case and a shoe to her name, she has no clue as to where or who she is until she meets Tarni, a young traveller on an unknown adventure. They set out into the outback on a quest and together they face the difficulties of the harsh environment while uncovering secrets and hidden memories of her identity and past life. The plot of this story is well thought out however I thought that the action itself dragged a little at the start. There were a few plot twists toward the end which shocked me as they had been hidden into the plotline extremely well. This book was heartfelt and gave a significant insight into culture, beliefs and lifestyle in the Outback. The story sparked many emotions as I was reading it. I would recommend this book to everyone but particularly pre teens or teenagers that enjoy adventure or fiction genres.

Ava
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This book talks about the incredible journey of Tarni a "First Country" girl and a "City girl" across the Australian outback. Both girls are looking for answers. The lost city girl, suffering from amnesia, is on a quest to find out who she is while Tarni is looking for her sister. This story, both incredibly poetic and thrilling, addresses serious topics such as the complicated matter of identity and the upkeeping of ancestral traditions. The characters are endearing and the beautiful friendship between the two girls will warm even the coldest of hearts. Even with these serious topics, this book is still a page turner filled with action, perilous situations and an incredible plot twist at the very end. I would definitely recommend this book!

Victoire CI
4Shadowers

One of the reasons that I liked this book was the way that the author managed to portray a sense of adventure using descriptive vocabulary and tension in her writing. I also like the way that flashbacks and music play an important part in the book because it really shows that moonflower/magpie has no clue as to where she has come from. The way that the author drops certain hints along the way and finally reveals the mystery of Tarni's sister at karlu karlu. I thought this book was very gripping

Mattia
Fortismere

This book made me want to read it even more which means that I actually like it. The story of how Sienna randomly finds herself in the desert and how she met Tarni is interesting. Both of them come from different worlds. Tarni is a first country person meanwhile Sienna is a city person. I loved the way they bonded and how needed each other to survive. The bit about the spirits was a bit hard to understand but overall it’s still an amazing and entertaining book.

Kimberly
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

Overall, this book was easy to follow along, and spotlighted the theme of character development (especially Sienna – the main character), and showed the perks of having a relationship built with trust and hope. This book started off quite slow, and could have had the potential to be much more dramatic and hooking. However, the main ideology of ‘starting off fresh’ with no clue on who Sienna was in her life before the plane crash, and developing into a much more mature person is clear and hooking. The main storyline of Tarni and Sienna being in the Australian Outbacks and growing friendship is also great. This book also includes the theme of including other cultural practices (such as singing). Towards the end, I found the plot twist to be quite confusing, and it could’ve been articulated much better, since the part when we find out that Tarni’s sister is dead and Sienna is ‘a spirit’ was not put well and was confusing to read.

Seungah
Perse Carnegians

"The Song Walker" by Zillah Bethell is like taking a journey through the rugged, but also beautius Australian Outback with two companions who, once reading them talk to each other makes you think they are old friends. It's not just a story about a vast desert and two girls on a quest, it's about finding yourself in the most unexpected places. The book starts like this: a young girl wakes up in the desert, disoriented and with no memory of who she is. She's dressed strangely, carrying a mysterious case, and missing a shoe. That's when she meets Tarni, another wanderer with secrets of her own. Together, they brave the challenges of the Outback, forming a bond that goes deeper than just survival. Bethell's writing is like poetry, painting vivid scenes of the harsh desert landscape that make you feel like you're right there alongside the characters. But amidst the danger and uncertainty, there's a warmth to the story—a sense of hope and resilience that shines through. What makes "The Song Walker" truly special is how it blends mystery, adventure, and the power of human connection. As the girls unravel the mysteries of their pasts, they discover strength they never knew they had, and a friendship that will last a lifetime. By the time you reach the end of "The Song Walker," you'll feel like you've been on an unforgettable journey—one that will stay with you long after you've closed the book. Bethell's storytelling is pure magic, reminding us of the power of courage, friendship, and the human spirit.

Xackery
Euro Bookworms

The story is about a young girl who randomly wakes up in the middle of the desert. She herself does not know who she is. She is wearing one shoe and a simple black dress, while holding a strange heavy case - pretty mysterious, right? She meets another girl (Tarni) who helps her. When reading the book, I really enjoyed the relationship between Tarni and the mysterious girl - as they both hide secrets from each other, which were exciting to discover as a reader. However, I do wish it had been more suspenseful at times, as some of the information came way too quickly. But overall, I thought the book was amazing (three stars).

Eiman
Rockwood Reads

'The Song Walker' reminded me very strongly of a film I saw as young man in the 1980s called 'Walkabout'. Like that, in this we a presented with a 'fish out of water' young girl alone in the outback of Australia. Where it differs though is that the film is a straight forward survival story and she is with her brother. Here though her rescuer, Tarni, seems to have her own quest and that being coupled with the fact that our narrator has no idea who she is, sets up the story. There are clues to the narrator's identity in the strange object she has in her possession and gradually we come to realise that both girls have discoveries to make about their pasts and who they really are. This is achieved to a great degree but it does sag a little in the middle. However it's worth sticking through to the end to find answers to the questions that the story has been setting up all the way through. If you can tell what these are of course, as the penultimate chapter is baffling in its twists and turns.

Mr Hyde
Marshland Readers

I liked the characters in this one. A girl wakes up in the Australian outback and doesn't know how she got there and she only has one shoe on! She starts wandering around and she meets this girl from a tribe in the outback and together they go on this journey. I consumed this book, I read it really quickly. The characters are likeable and you feel like they are learning something from the experience.

Cath
Avril and Aldham

The Song walker was a really good book that was full of mystery and adventure. It was a bit confusing at times, but I did understand the main plot and when I finished it I saw the connections from the start to the end. The descriptions of the characters and scenes made me feel like I was there and I really liked that as it made me want to keep turning the page to see what happened. The mind of the main character was like a jigsaw that I had to solve, which I thought was a great idea. Overall I loved this book and it was definitely one of the best Carnegie books that I have ever read.

Hisham N
Ermysted’s

This is a great book set in Australia, with a lot of interesting info about the people native to the region and their stories and beliefs. There’s a strong theme of music throughout the book, and the glossary of terms being at the front means you are less likely to get spoilers for the ending; the characters are also very well developed.

Rachel
Carnegie Carnage

'The Song Walker' was an interesting mystery set in the outback in Australia. As someone who has not read a book with a First Nation protagonist, this was something new and very enjoyable, with an appreciated glossary on any unfamiliar vocabulary relative to this region. The story was compelling and exciting, great for anyone between 8-12. Not sure if I enjoyed the ending as much though, as I felt the twist to be not so engaging.

Lara
Carnegie Carnage

Although it had a slow beginning, it soon picked up the pace and was a story full of plot twists and dramatic chapters. This help the story flow more towards the end making the ending even better than expected.

Stanley D
Ermysted’s

Eliza
Waldegrave School

This was a very interesting book to read. A book of imagination and kindness describes this book in my opinion. What I thought about the book is that it portrays betrayal, bravery, kindness and detective skills. For me it was like I was in it because it felt so real. I recommend this book to anyone!

Afreen
Skipton Shadows

A gripping adventure thriller that made me want to keep turning the page. Set in the Australian desert, it centres on two young girls who encounter a variety of different characters and life changing obstacles. The language is very evocative and creates a rollercoaster of emotions, making me feel like I was on the journey with them. The story begins when a stranded girl awakes in a sweltering arid climate, not knowing who she is or how she got there. She is rescued by a young girl called Tarni and together they go on a journey discovering, by the end, who they both really are. The book connects three main characters. My favourite is Tarni: a “first country” teenager who is loud, brave and feisty. In one incident she literally takes a bullet for her new found friend. Her friend, whose name changes three times throughout the story, suffers from memory loss, is shy and speaks very little and is almost the opposite of Tarni. They form a close bond until the abrupt, shocking and genuinely emotional conclusion. The other character, whose significance is revealed at the end, is a bellbird named Candelabra. The writing style flows easily and introduced me to knowledge of native Australian language. For example, Tarni calls the other girl tidda – which means female best friend. She also refers to her sibling, Brindabel, as her yaye – which means older sister. Also, the descriptions of the landscape and environment are very vivid. For example the detailed descriptions of the saltpans and watering holes paint a picture in my mind. Overall, I loved this book for the characters and the thrill of the adventure. However, only at the end was I disappointed as I was expecting a more uplifting conclusion. I also enjoyed the contrast in characters which made the story more interesting. The book introduced me to an aspect of Australia that I didn’t know anything about. I would recommend this book to pre/young teenagers, or to fans of adventure, mystery and thriller. Despite keeping me up at night with tears in my eyes, I highly recommend The Song Walker. I wondered why the writer ended the book the way she did ... I have my own ideas, but you will have to read it yourself first!

Beau
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

elise
Waldegrave School

As an avid reader, I can say really enjoyed this book. In it, a girl is wandering around the Australian outback. She meets a First Country girl who is looking for her sister. They meet people along the way, and as the book goes along she gains her memories back. In particular, I like the cyclical nature of the book and the huge plot twist at the end.

Joe
Kingdown 24

I thought it was a very tense and thrilling story, it was quite exciting as I tried to picture what was happening, the book made me want to constantly want to read on and I would highly recommend it.

Arabella
Kingdown 24

I loved this book I think it perfectly balanced adventure with comedy whilst also being incredibly meaningful. I found Tarni and Sienna's relationship really heartwarming and I think it was nice to see a book revolving around friendship and discovery. I loved all the hidden meanings that nodded to the the ending plot twist. I found that it was a really good read and I particularly enjoyed learning about the culture of The First Country.

Emily
Kingdown 24

A great book with many plot twists, an unexpected (and slightly confusing) ending and a great plot. This book is one of the best books I've ever read.

Max
Bookies Book Group

I love it! Its one of the best books I have ever read! It was a jaw dropping book. I didn't expect the ending at all! I can't believe what happened. My favorite part by far was the cave scene. The paintings seem so accurate and very amazing. It was so scary with the storm as I didn't think they would make it!

Tilly
Bookies Book Group

I really liked the way it was written, it’s easy to understand but really fun to read.It puts you in the mood and makes you feel as if you’re with them.

Marina
Henry’s Heroes

This review is about the book the Song Walker. it is about two young girls traveling across the Australian outback one girl Tarni to find her lost sister and the other girl who goes by many names given to her from different people. try's to find her lost memories'. As they travel across the beautiful landscape of the bush parts of the girls memories start to reappear. They are both gifted of talents of music which they both use in different ways : Tarni uses her songs to tell where's safe or not and moonflower uses her talent of violin to please people and make them happy. To me it was a very spiritual and mysterious book because of all the spirits they encountered which helped them with their incredible journey it would also link to cultural beliefs of the first country people and how they believe good and bad spirits walk across the holy land. it is also a very heart-warming story of the friendship between Tarni and moonflower.

Hugo
Bookwizards

Sophia
BFS Umbra

Jessica
BFS Umbra

Daisy P
BFS Umbra

I thought this book was very good. It shows us how people love different lifestyles and can still be friends and also how you can choose to live a different lifestyle to how you grew up. At times it was a bit boring and at other times it was action packed but I was quite disappointed with the plot twist at the end. Overall, I would defiantly recommend this book and I would read it again.

Curtis
Bookwizards

I found the book a bit exciting as the starting chapter was about Tarni who sort of wakes up into a new world and she doesn`t know what she is doing or where she is. Overall, an ok book but not my style.

Hamza
Ermysted’s

Song walker is at first glance just another book on the shelf but if you pick it up and read it you will find the magical yet confusing tales within. the ending surprised me the most because you cant tell whether or not it is real life. It is a very confusing book

sam
Ermysted’s

At first I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it or not, but as I progressed through the book, it got better and I enjoyed it more. I think the beginning was really good because it caught my attention, especially with the repetition of the "left, right, left, right". The plot twist at the end worked very well and all the questions that I had were answered. It's always exciting when you read about somewhere or something new - especially somewhere like Australia. I really enjoyed this book.

Jessica
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

A really beautiful book! I found the idea of self discovery and rediscovering yourself as though you are a child really interesting. Additionally I really enjoyed learning about the culture of aboriginal Australians. I found the ending really interesting with everything that's been mentioned about aboriginal culture being mentioned and meaning something. There is so much to say about this beautiful book.

Isabella
Carnegie Festival

The Song Walker was quite an interesting book full of mystery, and adventure, the only downside of this was it was quite confusing at times and I didnt quite understand. But I loved the descriptions of the characters they were really effective, and I could really picture the characters in my mind through their journey.

Evie
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

A very entralling book throughout the beginning and end. It engaged the reader and grabbed my attention fully. Such an exceptional book.I love that I could see into her mindset and read exactly what she was feeling when she thought out situations. Her thoughts flowed really well and moved the book along very quickly. Bethell's narrative voice is quite amazing. She is serious at times, but also very witty, which makes for an engaging read. Also, I would like to comment on the friendship between Tarni and Sienna was a strong bond and taught me more about friendship... And as once someone said," Friendship is a sheltering tree." Overall, It was an amazing must-read book!

Vinshu
TDA readers

This book is well written, feeling like a young girl wrote it. It is about 2 girls treading the outback of Australia. The protagonist is a girl which goes by many names (none her actually one) and has a black dress, one black leather shoe and a briefcase. She has no idea who she is or what she’s doing there. She meets a girl called Tarni and they continue their journey together. Personally, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending, but I still enjoyed the book. I think that a lot of people would love this book, especially people who read books by Sophia Anderson, Chris Vick etc. Out of ten, I’d rate this book an 8/10.

Aleksandra
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I really enjoyed this book and I found the story to be full of mystery and intrigue which left me hooked. Throughout the book I thought I knew about the characters and their journey but I kept on getting corrected as the characters revealed more about themselves. I was shocked at how the book ended as it completely flipped my perception of the entire book upside down. I would 100% recommend this book.

Benjamin R.
Ermysted’s

It was a really good book because it was full of action, adventure and mystery. I would recommend this to my friends and family. 4/5

Leilani
WyRead

The Song walker is a masterpiece! It is extremely interesting with two wonderfully complicated characters as well as an intriguing mystery. The book educates about First Country culture in Australia as well as the bush and the people living in it. It was very interesting learning about First Country culture and how different people celebrate and experience the world. The story is absolutely heart wrenching and the ending is impeccable!

Emilie
Euro Bookworms

I think this is a great book because of the way the author uses imagery to make you feel you are there. I can also relate to how the girls think, which overall made it a great read.

Cecile
St. George’s Dragon Readers

Imagine a world where you are trying to survive in a barren land and the only thing you can remember is that you’ve been walking, not in any direction just walking. What are you carrying. One thing? You’ve no idea what you are carrying but you know that its important. What would you’re one thing be? My view on this emotional and enticing book is about how friends help in tough times and how being rich doesn’t get you everything especially friendship. It’s a book you can read any time, any place and just zone out the world outside of you, just disperse and you’re in those barren lands with them. It’s just you and them exploring and having an adventure. If you like a warm, cosy and adventurous book this is for you!!!!

Ivy
Larkmead

At first, I believed I would not like it but it pulled me in after the first few pages. There was an air of mystery until the end although I believe the end was not that good. Read it none the less!

Jacob
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

It's about a girl who lost her memory and suddenly found herself in the outback where she met Tarni, a local to the land, and joins her on her mysterious journey. I really like Tarni because she reminds me a bit of me and because she loves her heritage, she loves tree climbing and she loves her family. I really liked it. My favourite bit was the plot twist at the end because it was just so unexpected and sudden but also so exciting. I would recommend this book because it is really wholesome and just so worth the read.

Gloria
Coop Academy Manchester Book Club

Really good with a big twist. Amazing characters. Great setting. A brilliant read, highly,highly recommended!

Evie
Library Goblins

A flowing story, a little bit slow on progress throughout the tale, but very original and set in a different, lesser-known setting.

Thomas
Somervale Carnegie Team 2024

A girl who has lost their memory goes on an adventure with another girl to get it back. I liked Tarni; she reminds me of myself...at home anyway! I liked the part when the girl found out she was a spirit walker. It had a bit of fantasy in it. I would recommend the book to a friend.

Jessie
Coop Academy Manchester Book Club

The song walker is an absolutely brilliant book which is full of mystery and intrigue. It is a blend of friendship and culture which contrasts the two girls lives. This is a book i love i would recommend it to everyone.

Sam
St David’s Bibliophiles

The story of the song walker is a very unusual plot twist story. I enjoyed the way the author has made me look at my way of thinking. I love the mystery in the book and that I would definitely recommend it to others to read.

Esther
St David’s Bibliophiles

The song walkers are an incredible book as it introduces unlikely friendship and contrasting cultures I really like how intresting the book also it was very adventurous as it is a girl with a violin and she does not know why she is in the desert when suddenly she meets another girl. Such an interesting book and the ending was surprising. i would rate this a 9 out of 10

Noel
St David’s Bibliophiles

The song walker is a mysterious book that is full of confusion and contrasting culture. It is a extraordinary tale and I would recommend it to people who like to solve puzzles and conundrums. It is about a girl who finds herself in the middle of a desert holding a violin and does not know anything about herself or her surroundings. The story develops into a fascinating conclusion

Noah
St David’s Bibliophiles

The Song Walker is beautiful book about friendship and courage. The book also shined a light on a culture I knew also nothing about . However I was not to keen on the main lead at the beginning but towards the end she grew on me.

grace
OLSB Shadowers

I like how, at the start, they did not make it obvious where they were, so we were on our edge. I also loved how they are on a mysterious quest of their own. I don't quite like how they both keep secrets from each other, that's why I rated this book 4 out of 5.

Hayaam
The Reading Queens

An incredible book which leaves you utterly suprised when you finish it! You could never explain the plot of this book to someone without them reading it themselves as it is too amazingly complicated. You would never expect the end to finish how it did!

Lola
Weald of Kent Tonbridge

When a young girl awakens in the middle of the mysterious outback wearing one shoe, a plain black dress and carrying a strange heavy black case and a big marble, she is shocked at the feeling of amnesia. With no recollection of who, what, where, why, when or how, she travels across the desert with Tarni, a girl who knows many survival tips. Together they travel across strange new lands, meet different people - good and bad - and generally try to survive. However, in the middle of all the chaos and arguments, both girls are hiding life changing secrets and trying to work out the truth about what is really in front of them and what could disappear before their very eyes. The plot was exciting and intriguing and it made me want to keep reading. However, about one quarter of the way through I found it a bit slow and wondered what would come next. I thought she would get home quicker. My favourite character was Brindabel because even though she wasn't actually "alive" she was a crucial part of the story and a big part of the backstory as well. She threaded the story together and her notes added suspense and a feeling of "what's she going to do next"? I would recommend this book for 10-16 year olds girls who like travel books and adventure stories. I would compare this book to “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" because they are both about children who don't really know what they are doing travelling to work out what's going on in the world around them. I rate this book 8/10. It was really fun and exciting and of my taste and I enjoyed it a lot.

Flo
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I found it a very good book as it explored Australian outback culture and way of living while also having a very good character arc in the form of the main character learning to care for others. It also features a great twist at the end changing how you understand the book and the characters within it. I would rate it as a 8.5/10

Luca
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This was a really enjoyable book .It was a bit confusing at the end but apart from that I was able to follow along pretty well .This book was great and would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good read.8/10.

Saul
Ermysted’s

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell depicts a young girl who finds herself stranded in the middle of the Australian Outback whilst not being able to recall anything about herself. She is found by Tarni who is crossing the desert in search of her lost sister. During this book, it includes concepts of First Nations and indigenous people and their cultures, traditions and language. I like how this book was educational and how we should treat everywhere on Earth as sacred land and be treated with the upmost respect. I also like how the book showed a personal and emotional side with Tarni risking everything and would do anything to find her sister. The bright, colourful cover was only the beginning to this heart-warming story and would be perfect for both primary and secondary students. I would rate it a 4/5.

Ella
Faringdon Community College

This is a story about a girl who finds herself stranded in the middle of the Australian Outback. She has no idea who she is or what she’s doing there. She is holding a metal case and has one shoe on, and a silk black dress. She gets found by a local girl and together they go on a journey. It is a really good book about adventure, friendship with a mysterious twist. It’s a book that I would recommend to many people aged about 9 or 10+.

Beatrice
LSST Library Shadowers

The Song Walker is an incredibly moving book which l thoroughly enjoyed reading. The descriptions of the Australian outback are beautiful and l loved the suspense and mystery of who Magpie actually was and how she ended up there. The ending was unexpected and took a the turn in story but the whole way through I loved the chemistry and friendship between the two girls. It is written extremely well and I really got lost in the book as I read it. The only negative review I have on the book is that it is quite repetitive at the start and the plot takes a while to get to, other than that it was a very enjoyable story.

Lola
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

The Song Walker was a beautiful book to read which not only had a intriguing storyline but a complex mix a friendship and adventure. This book is about two girls who meet in the Australian outback, one who is searching for a 'lost' sister and another who has no idea who or where she is. The storyline was full of adventure and plot twists especially at the end of the book. I found that most of the writing was mainly adventure based and I think at times some paragraphs of description would have been even better. Although saying that, I did love that the book was fast-paced and engaging and I never wanted to put it down. In my opinion, Tarni, the girl searching for her sister, is the most fascinating as you see her undeniable loyalty and love for the other girl but there are hints of jealously especially nearing the end of the book. Some of the plot twists took me by surprise and overall I think the book was definitely one to read again. I would recommend it to adventure book lovers and would give it a 7/10.

Jemimah
KES Bookworms

This book is a heart warming friendship book about two girls who meet in an Australian desert. But who knows whether the secrets they hide will harm there bond or will there friend ship survive what's coming for them? With the main character trying to remember her past whilst lugging round a mysterious suit case. This is a book full of mystery friendship and adventure.

Leonora
SHSK Shadowers

I really enjoyed this book as the more you read on, the more you learn what's going on, and everything has a meaning further on into the book. you grow with the characters too, and the names changing along the way is also a nice addition to the book

noah
Ermysted’s

I read this book and was immediately hooked onto the storyline. When I first picked up this book it was a spur of the moment decision and I had my doubts about the book. However, when I began reading and got to know the beautifully crafted character of Tarni I just had to keep reading; Tarni’s personality is amazing and I absolutely adored learning about her culture and daily life alongside the girl.

Ava
Dallam Bookclub

One of the best as it has loads of twists and you can imagine it.

MuyangD
Ermysted’s

I didn't really enjoy this book although it was good but it is not my type of book. It kept referring to how Sienna couldn't remember anything and how she was lost. I rate this book 6/10

Ailise
Rebel Readers

Emotionally profound. This novel takes it readers, as well as its protagonists, on a journey through the Outback. Engaging and interacting with the spirits and the ancestors was particularly beautiful.

Stephanie
Taverham High Shadowers

The song walker is a very good book, I love the way how her identity is revealed to you as it is to her and you having limited knowledge about who she is. The ending annoyed me at first as it made you think she wasn't real but that wasn't true and it made for a very good end to a brilliant story.

Felix L
Ermysted’s

The Song Walker is a cleverly written book. Revolving around a mysterious one-shoed girl and a brave girl named Tarni, it shows their wild journey across the Australian outback. However, as their friendship develops so does their secrets. And one of them is lying. I liked that the end of the first chapter finished with ‘Who am I?’. I think this really sets the scene, as over the course of the book this is what both girls were trying to discover. Additionally, during this book the mystery girl was given many names. I think this represents that your name is not the only part of your identity, it’s who you are as a person. My favourite character was Tarni. She was so loyal, brave and supportive to the unknown dying girl she found. I think this shows how all society should be trusting and kind to each other, even if you have never met this person before. The only thing I disliked about this book was that in the middle, it was quite slow. There were no major plot twists and I wasn’t racing to turn the pages. I would recommend this to readers aged 9+ as it had appropriate themes but complicated morals. I would rate it 6/10.

Orla
The Fitzharrys Shadows

The Song Walker was a very good book. It went through the adventure of a girl with no memory trying to find her way out of the Australian Outback. The story was written very well and there are entertaining twists and turns throughout the whole book. On the whole, this was a very good book.

Stanley
Reader Leaders

The main character has lost her memory and has woken up in the desert holding a case. She has even forgotten her own name (Sienna). She is then found by Tarni who is on her own journey to find her sister, aided by the songs that her ancestors left her. This book is really stimulating because we slowly see the Sienna’s memory coming back and Tarni realising more things across the hot desert. However, I found it not as fast paced as I would have hoped. And it made it a bit more confusing when they said that Tarni knew her sister was dead. Though a very good plot twist at the end. Overall, I would give this book an 8/10

Shreya
Perse Carnegians

Songs will show you the way, they will give you hope. Spirits will guide you and help you on your way. Some will try to stop you; some will need your help but through ups and downs you will find your way. In the middle of the Australian outback Tarni finds a mysterious girl with no memory, only one shoe and a bad temper. As they travel through the red dust the more they learn about each other and the more secrets they start to hide... I liked this book because it was quite interesting to see the change of attitude and personality in the characters. On the other hand, I didn’t understand the ending of the book and got really confused. I rate this book a 6/10 because it was a nice story about friendship and forgiveness, but it was a bit repetitive or confusing at times. I would recommend this book to ages 9+ if you want a heartwarming story (though some parts may be upsetting for younger children). Overall, this was a good and easy book to read and enjoy.

Holly
The Fitzharrys Shadows

The song Walker is a great adventure book to do with a girl getting lost in the middle of the Australian desert and she loses her memory but she does get found by a girl named Tarni and they have an adventure its a good book with a great story line I would rate this a 4/5 if you enjoy adventure and mystery I think you would enjoy this book.

Jason
Macaulay Book Club

Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who wanted an action and adventure book. The book was well written which made you want to finish it right there and then. The author made it have enough twists to keep on your toes whilst you tried to figure out what was happening, but not to much that it was to obvious what the ending might be. The twist at the end of the book left me in shock and I wanting to start the book all over again. After a slightly slow start, the real adventure unfolded at around 100 pages in. It was at that mark when I just wanted to keep on reading. In summary the book is about the importance of family, friends, music and your attitude to life when it throws things at you unexpectedly. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it will definitely be on my 2024 favourites.

Honor
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

The Song Walker is beautifully written and is about a girl lost in the desert with no idea who she is. I love this book because it shows how we can become different people if we don't know who we are. It is amazingly described and emphasises the struggle of secrets and honesty between friends. My favourite part is when Tarni tells Sienna that she can go home now, but Sienna decides she will stay to help Tarni find her sister.

Rebecca
GreatB00ks

I really enjoyed this book as it was very mysterious as you did not know who the young girl was. I liked it when Tarni told Sienna that she was a famous violin player. The only emotional part of this book was when Tarni let the parrot go to his own home. I liked it when Tarni and Sienna played a concert in the UK together after Sienna had seen her parents again. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure and mystery with two young girls.

Phoebe
GreatB00ks

The songwalker is a very mysterious book that features a girl lost in the desert with no idea who she is. She then meets a girl who helps her survive in the unknown outback. Its easy to lose yourself in the book and enjoy its mystery and many plot twists!

Jennifer
GreatB00ks

The song walker is a beautifully written book and very enjoyable. At times you feel like you are part of the story.

Ellie
GreatB00ks

The song walker is a very complex book filled with small plot twists near the end. It is about a girl who ends up in a desert kilometres away from urban areas. She wakes up only to realise that she's been rescued by a girl called Tarni who's around the same age. During the story the author makes you ask multiple questions about what the truth is yet in the end everything is too happy and feels like it is the end of a young child's book.

Chloe
GreatB00ks

The Song Walker is a book i would not have read by choice however i found it very interesting and intriguing. I really enjoyed some moment like when Sienna finally found out about everything but it was very heart breaking at the end, especially when Tarni realises about her yaya.

Melissa
GreatB00ks

From what I have read of this book so far, it is very interesting and tense. You are always kept unsure on whether the young girl is going to survive in the Australian Outback. She has so many close calls to death and it keeps me interested in wanting to know what happens next. I quite like this book.

Leila
OSSMAORATORS

From what I have read the story is very interesting and mysterious. The story keeps you on edge because you don't know where she is until further into the story and meets someone, who is she? how long has she been out there? , This creates an interesting atmosphere. I quite like this book .

Ruby
OSSMAORATORS

A fascinating and gripping read that teaches about first country people well. It shows Tanni and Sienna's rocky friendship and is an absolute page turner with a touch of mystery to it as well as shocking plot twists.

Mahalah
Plumites

This book is about a girl who doesn’t know who she is, where she is or why she is there. Just when her life is about to end, a girl called Tarni rescues her. As they venture across the Australian Outback they begin to get closer to eachother and finding the truth. I enjoyed the book as it was about finding yourself and personal truth. I also enjoyed the concept of the first country people and their traditions of protecting the sacred land. My favourite character was Tarni because of how strong willed and brave she was. I would rate this book a 9/10 and would recommend this book for anyone who likes adventures and a bit of mystery.

Eloise
The Fitzharrys Shadows

Amazing. Outstanding. A heart warming tale. No word or phrase can express how good this book is. It is all about two girls, one who woke up in the middle of the bush otherwise known as the outback forgetting everything about how she got there, why she is there and who she is. The other girl was on a mission across the beautiful, but dangerous, bush to find something that she dears the most. A story of two girls, both holding secrets as they travel. My favourite part was when the two girls see an SUV drive past on a flat road, the people inside asked if the girls wanted a ride, but they refused and later found an old, decaying red SUV just like the one that had driven by. The strange thing was, the drivers had told the girls their names and a letter on the lopsided bonnet of the car had the people’s names on. Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventurous read, the only problem I encountered was, because this book was set in Africa, there were some hard words to pronounce. Suitable for KS3 up because of the difficult words to pronounce.

Charlie
HHS

The story begins when Sienna wakes up in the middle of the Australian outback. She then meets Tarni, a First Country person who is on a journey to find her sister. They travel through the outback together and meet various people on their journey. Sienna's memory slowly begins to return. Their friendship develops and they go through many struggles together in search of Tarni's sister. They are told, in a letter from Tarni's sister, to return. However, they keep going as they have discovered where they they can find Tarni's sister. Once they arrive at this place, they learn that; Tarni's sister is dead; Sienna is actually the daughter of a multi-millionaire and plays the violin; everyone they have interacted with have been spirits; and Sienna's body is still where she was originally found. Throughout this experience, Sienna has learnt that she needs to be a better person and she tells Tarni that she needs to return to her mother. Sienna quickly rewinds her steps and ends up back where she started, and where helicopters find her and take her home. In the epilogue, Tarni and Sienna are at a concert with Sienna playing the violin and Tarni painting, and it shows how they remained friends after all they went through. With this book, I was a bit confused about the ending, as it was very surprising and a bit hard to understand. Overall this book was amazing and I highly recommend it!

Liam
Reader Leaders

This book has everything. Intriguing and full of suspense and interest. Contrasting characters from different cultures. Difficult to put down

Paul
St David’s Bibliophiles

The book song walker is an adventurous and mysterious book as the main protagonist has forgotten everything and slowly through the book regains her memory to find out her past, while travelling across the Australian outback trying to survive.I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars.

Joshua
Macaulay Book Club

The Song Walker is a novel set in the great Australian Outback and focuses on the journey of our main character - who doesn’t even know who she is! Alone in the red desert with no recollection of past events and an expensive-looking locked case, she has no chance of survival - until she meets a first-country girl called Tarni, who takes her through the desert and helps her find herself again. These two characters really develop and reveal themselves throughout the story, and by the end neither is the same as she was before they found each other. Watching the friendship blossom felt natural and real, and I loved seeing Tarni start to rely on our main character as well. It was intriguing to learn more about Australia and what life in the Outback is like: the story was easy to follow and there was a glossary of first-country words at the beginning to help the reader understand. All the side characters they met made an impact on what happened and I enjoyed how they gave our main character different names based on the experiences they had with her. The main themes explored are journeys, finding yourself, changes and learning how to move on. I feel these were all very well-explored: nothing was mentioned so much it got repetitive, and I especially liked the symbolism of Candelabra the bird and how reluctant Tarni was to let him go. I would rate this book 5/5 and I think it is worthy of the Carnegie medal for writing, as it is my favourite by far of the previous 3 I’ve read. The twist at the end was completely unexpected and made the story even more emotional, also motivating the reader to reread and try to notice all the clues. The symbolism and messages throughout the story were all beautiful too, and I loved watching both characters develop and start their lives again. I think almost everyone could read this and thoroughly enjoy it.

Tatiana
Rebel Readers

I found this book quite slow to read as it is often just describing walking through the Australian outback. Despite this, I still enjoyed the book and thought it was well written. when 'all was revealed' I thought it was a nice moment but I don't know whether I preferred it when her life was a mystery. I found it easier to read near the end when you knew what was what and her backstory - it was quite a nice challenge to read about someone but you don't know who they are.

Edward M
Ermysted’s

The Song Walker, written by Zillah Bethell, is about two girls who travel across the Australian outback. One is from the city and is found by the second who is first country (Tarni). The city girl has forgotten everything about who she used to be including her name and Tarni is searching for her sister who left home. This Book shows the differences in the lives of two 13 year old girls living in the same country. I thought this book was very well written. I liked that we only knew as much about the city girl as she did because it meant that we could understand how she felt and connect with her as she made her journey of remembering her life before. The book also taught me about a part of the world I never learned much about. The scene where we find out what happened to her sister and why she left was one of my favourite scenes because I found it very emotional and the characters felt more realistic. However, I would have preferred it if the main character was a normal person instead of a rich super talented violinist. The ending of the book also confused me a little. I would rate this book ⅘ stars.

Clara
Euro Bookworms

Two girls join together to pursue personal quests to combat amnesia and find a missing sibling. Set in the outback in modern Australia, the pair journeys on foot through the land of the First Country peoples. Tarni, of the Alyawarre people, uses the musical maps of her ancestors to navigate her way through the outback to find a sister who disappeared one morning. The companion she discovers on her way has amnesia and carries a mysterious metal case. As the story unfolds and the journey progresses, we learn about this unnamed character as she rediscovers more about the events leading up to her mysterious appearance in the middle of the outback. Despite the meeting and circumstances of these characters seeming far-fetched, the author manages to make the story believable by making the obvious appear mysterious, albeit through the use of magic and hallucinations. A chance meeting with a truck driver and his mother, marks an important turning point in the story. Tarni’s companion is recognised by the truck driver who then attempts to capture the unnamed teenager and her precious case. The two girls are then chased by the duo until they discover the truth. Prior knowledge of the outback is useful to the reader to fully appreciate the harshness of the environment, how wildlife struggles to survive and how close to death Tarni’s companion was to death before she found her. Nonetheless, this story is an interesting read and would be enjoyed by readers from the age of ten.

Gabriel
Euro Bookworms

The Song Walker is a stunningly good book written by Zillah Bethel, an author originally from Papua New Guinea. It is about a girl who wakes up in the middle of the desert, with a black dress, one shoe, a metal case and amnesia. She can’t even remember her name or how she came to be in the desert. Then she is found by Tarni, a First Nation (Native Australian) girl from the Alaywarre people. Tarni names the girl Moonflower, after the wake-up call of nearly getting killed by a Gwardar (snake). The girls then walk in the outback, in search of a waterhole. They are guided by the songs of Tarni’s arelhele (ancestors). When they get to the waterhole, they meet Eddy, an Elder, who tells Tarni a song from one of his ancestors. It is later revealed that she is looking for her older sister, who disappeared some time ago. Later on, Moonflower, now Magpie, has a dream and is able to unlock the metal case which holds a violin. Soon, they encounter the Hunters or as Tarni calls them, the “Drongos”. They attempt to take Moonflower hostage, because she has a bounty on her head, but Tarni uses a catapult to take out “Professor Drongo”. Tarni is guilty, because she thinks that she murdered him with the catapult. After that, they head out into the bush, and eat some poisonous fruit. They are found by Debonaire or “the Mermaid” and her dog called Dog. Debonaire heals them and sets them on their way. This is an incredible book with one of the best endings that I have ever read. This book has such well written characters, and I especially like how well written Tarni was, her character development was one of the best that I have ever seen, in books or in a movie. The plot twist at the end was extremely unexpected and just added lots more magic to this already great story. I find it incredible how well the author can weave her little strings of magic into her story, making it shimmer like Wej Mor, the Emu in the sky. The author really has captured all of the traditions that the Alyawarre use, especially how she included the tradition of not speaking the name of someone who dies. The book is a great read, and is elegantly written. I love this book so much, and will easily give this book a 10/10.

Richie
Euro Bookworms

I really liked the setting of Australia in this book, I thought that the story was so powerful and meaningful. The two main characters were amazing, and I thought that their hobbies fitted them both well. I thought that plot twists and what happened next were really shocking to discover and kept the story interesting.

Holly
Herts and Essex

I found this book really engaging and hard to put down! It was quite unpredictable, making it feel like I was discovering everything at the same time as the characters. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting, twisty read.

Florence
Wyedean School

I think that this book is beautifully writen,and takes the reader through a journey of emotions. Summary: this is set in the Australian 'bush' where a girl (with the help of her new-found friend Tarni) regains back her lost memory and identity. They together embark a journey through the desert to find Tarni's sister facing many dangers. Review: I think that the ending was very emotional: they realise everything that happened, everyone they met were spirits that tried to help them. Sometimes, friends just have to share their thoughts and feelings with eachother, not keeping negative thoughts bottled up. They both had outbursts and many differences, but they shared a love of music. In the end, they had parted but met again when Tarni had become a professional artist and Sienna, a violinist. Sienna's experience in the desert helped her understand that not everyone is rich like her, and she learnt to be aware of other's emotions. Both girls came from different a background but they were eachother's first true and real friends.

Mila
Beauchamp Champs 2024

Amazing. Perfect. Outstanding. No words can express how good this book exactly was. I don’t have a favourite bit because the entire book was my favourite bit, it’s the perfect combination of adventure and mystery. The story is about a girl who wakes up in the middle of the desert, completely forgetting who she is, where she is and what’s in the mysterious metal case she is holding. She meets a girl called Tarni who explains that she is in the ‘bush’ or the Australian outback. Then, the two girls set off on a grand adventure across the beautiful-but highly dangerous outback. It is when the two girls are stranded in a cave that the girl who figures out what is in the case, and that changes their journey forever. All together, I believe this book should definitely get a top place for the carnegies. My favourite bit was when the two girls met ‘the mermaid’ in the middle of the desert, who so how has a food supply that shouldn’t exist in the stranded corner of the world 10/10 Suitable for KS3 and up due to some hard-to-pronounce words.

Charlie
HHS

Amelie-Jude
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd

The Song Walker by Zilla Bethel is a brilliant book! The story follows two young girls as they journey across the Australian Outback and encounter different challenges and hardships. One of the young girls is named Tarni. Tarni is from First Country and is using the songs her ancestors made to guide her somewhere. However, Tarni has some secrets of her own that she is not willing to disclose. Then we meet ___. That's the problem; she doesn't know where she is, how she got there, or anything about herself or the metal case she is holding. The book has themes of friendship, mystery, and grief throughout. Although the book was very good, I felt as though it (for lack of a better word) dipped in the middle, with a lot of the content being the girls walking through the outback, looking for food, and whatnot. However, it soon picked back up again when the pair met the Drongos'. The last few chapters kept me guessing, and I felt they were a good way to draw the story to a close, but I have to say I was quite disappointed with the ending. I feel the ending didn't quite make sense and that it was a shame to finish such a spectacular book with a bad ending. Overall, I felt the book was very good, and I would definitely recommend it to others. I give this book a 4 out of 5.

Amelie-Jude
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd

I really enjoyed the characters in the book, particularly Sienna.It was interesting reading Sienna's point of vue as she has forgotten her whole life and remembers it along the way.It was also interesting seeing how uncertain she was before and after meeting Tarni.It was interesting learning a bit about Alyawarre culture and community in the book as I had never heard about it before.I found that in some places there could have been a bit more adventure but overall a really enjoyable and gripping book.

Rani
EJM Carnegie Crew

An amazing book it felt as if I was with the characters I have never come across a book in the Australian outback so I was very excited to read this and I lived up to my expectations!! Would recommend

Catherine
Wyedean School

This book is about a girl who is in the middle of the Australian outback but doesn’t know her name or why she’s there. She gets saved from dehydration and a snake by a girl called Tarni. They explore the desert, searching for Tarni’s sister Brindabel and the girl’s name. I really enjoyed this book and I couldn’t put it down. My favourite character was The Mermaid (Debonaire) because she is a really brave and resilient woman. I would recommend it to ages 10+ and would rate it 9/10.

Hannah
The Fitzharrys Shadows

The writing in "The Song Walker" is beautiful. Zillah Bethell has such a wonderful way of using words and descriptions. The storyline too is incredible and I would read this for hours. Overall, this is one of my favourite books of all time and I would rate it a 9.7/ 10.

Alex
BLURB

I loved it! The little details such as how different characters had different accents really stood out to me. It did get a bit slow at the end but overall, it was beautiful.

kana
BLURB

I loved the story overall and see myself rereading it thousands of times. It gripped me immediately into the world and outback with the mystery of who this girl is and her future. Overall I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes the whole idea of mystery and adventure. I rate it 4/5.

Lylah
OSSMAORATORS

overall, I enjoyed 'The song walker' and it reminded me of the spirit encapsulated in previous Carnegies nominees. The book was well written and well paced (although the ending felt rushed) and I enjoyed the insight into Australian culture, as well as the different approach to the character arc of the main character, playing on a journey from vulnerability to a 'big reveal' at the end.

Daniel E
Ermysted’s

The book "The Song Walker" is a great book. It has a lot of meaning and it is very clever how the author has let the reader gradually know more about Tarni and Sienna. I personally really enjoyed this book and I liked the storyline in general - a girl with no memory, two people meet and help each other. I like the way that the book tells us a lot about the first country Australians and their super cool song maps! It lets us be more aware about these extraordinary people and what it's like for them when they travel. It really does show us how big Australia can be. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who is struggling to find something good to read.

Lianghan
SHSK Shadowers

"The Song Walker", by Zillah Bethell, is a book that takes us through a young girl's experience as she navigates her way through the outback and an identity crisis. The main thing I liked about the story is that I couldn't stop making guesses about the mysteries that arose. I would recommend this book to readers who love mystery, as this book is just full of them.

Victoria
SHS On The Same Page

This book. The adventure. The people. The culture. The beliefs. The friends for life. Tarni and Moonflower/Magpie/Maestro/Tidda live through everything together. As Moonflower tries to remember her whole life story, Tarni describes her side of life. The storyline is really good and everything intertwines. I definitely recommend it.

Hanna
BSG

In The Song Walker, Zillah Bethell creates an engaging tale that takes readers into Australia's vast and ever-changing outback. The story opens as a young woman awakens in the desert, confused and carrying a mysterious briefcase. With no memory of her past, she goes on a quest for answers, accompanied by Tarni, an Australian girl from the traditional Alaywarre community. Bethell paints a vivid picture of the scorching heat, the red expanse of the landscape and the endless sky. The unnamed protagonist faces questions of identity, purpose and the weight of cultural and familial expectations. Tarni, who navigates the outback using ancient song lines, adds depth to the story. These invisible paths, passed down from generation to generation, connect people, places and memories, a metaphor for ties that extend beyond heritage and lifestyle. The Songwalker entertains readers with freedom, music and heritage themes. As the girls venture deeper into the wilderness, they discover their identities and the power of friendship across cultural boundaries. This heart-warming adventure is perfect for mature readers looking for thought-provoking narratives. Bethell's storytelling resonates, leaving a lasting mark on the heart.

Nathan
Euro Bookworms

Overall, I liked the general idea of this book. It has a good plot and storyline and I really enjoyed reading it. I think it was really interesting and I think it had the perfect amount of action. I wasn't always completely gripped though as personally, after a while of the first part when both girls were just walking I was a bit bored but I became gripped again as they met the people in the car. I think this book carries a deeper message about knowing who you are and figuring yourself out. I also felt the end was written very well and the author did a really good job of bringing it to a close. Overall, I would probably rate this book a 4/5 stars. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

Anabelle
Burford School

The Song Walker is a fabulous book from the start to the end. It consists of mysteries, adventure and lots of secrets. The start, a girl who has no idea about life. "Where am ?" and "How did I get here" and... "Who am I". But it doesn't just stop there. They walk across as the hot sun bakes their skins. Spirit-like beasts looked out for at night. Snakes. Lions. Wildlife. I would recomend this novel to action lovers and curious people.

Nurdan
Chiswick Carnegie

I really enjoyed reading The Song Walker as it evoked so much emotion for the sacred people and land of Australia in the Outback. When the two girls started their journey together, Zillah Bethwell showed that two very different people can go on a very emotive and exciting adventure no matter their past or what awaits them in the future. At the end of the story, it touched my heart when the girls came to the end of their incredible journey, helping each other through every tough minute of the day. Even though the story provoked lots of emotion, I felt the pace of the book was a bit slow and that the ending left me with a lot of questions about both girls. But overall a really good book that I would recommend.

Grace
Chiswick Carnegie

"The Song Walker", by Zillah Bethell, is a book that takes you through a desert in Australia, 'First Country', as it is called. The main protagonist is called, well, that's the thing. She has lost her memory and has woken up in the desert holding a case. She is then found by Tarni who is on her own journey to find her sister, aided by the songs that her ancestors left her. I started reading this due to the fact that there was a film coming out, named "The Goat Life", which also set in the desert. It was adapted off a book, and as I was unable to get my hands on it, I took this book out from the library instead. This book is really interesting because we slowly see the protagonist's memory coming back and Tarni realising more things across the hot desert.

Aryan
Bibliomaniacs

I absolutely loved the 'The Song Walker' as I felt excited and curious throughout the book! I also enjoyed that the author did not say the girl's name until the end. The plot twist was very unexpected at the end which left me in shock afterwards. I definitely will not be forgetting this book!

Hannah
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

This story used descriptions to build a wonderful image for the reader Throughout the book the author uses words from an aboriginal language and these words give it context and help the readers to understand Tarni’s culture better. The plot was entertaining and well paced. Relationships between the characters were complex and carefully forged. The character of Sienna evolved throughout the book as she remembered her past. For this reason she was my favourite character. The plot twist at the end was astonishing and provoked questions. Towards the end, Zillah Bethell effectively portrays the importance of music and our relationship with our family as we hear that Tarni is searching for her sister. The story explores important ideas such as identity, the impacts of memory loss and the beliefs of other cultures and how we treat them.

Isabelle
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

This book is about two people walking across the Australian desert, one being a First Country and one being a City girl. The city girl is called Sienna and has a briefcase with a violin inside. The other is a girl who is leading them through the desert by the words of a song. Sienna is a rich and spoilt girl who realises her mistakes after the journey. She is being looked for after a huge plane crash during the journey to one of her concerts. She eventually makes it to her destination and is rewarded with a sight of a picture her friend drew and her home. It was shown that everything she did and took from people she returned and made up with them as friends.

Conrad
Bookwizards

I loved this book, it shows the journey of the two girls as they travel long distances for a surprising reason. The ending was unexpected but very happy as both girls find closure and become a much more improved version of themselves.

Eleanor
Bramcote College Bookclub

I loved this book, it did take quite a while to get into the story and a lot of secrets are with held from the reader up until the very ending of the book which creates an excellent plot twist that I never expected. The friendship formed between the two main characters has its ups and downs but they stick by each other's side until the very end.

Gracie
Bramcote College Bookclub

This book is a really good book for around years 6-9 due to its adventurous characters and mysterious plot twists. Song walker starts out at a slow steady pace which can be quite frustrating for those with less patience, but when you get in to the action it is very enjoyable and the plot advances quickly. It explores other cultures through stories and music and follows two girls on a journey across the outback to discover who they truly are ( very literally in some cases).

Chloe
Bramcote College Bookclub

The song walker I found that enjoyed it more than expected and enjoyed the relationships between the two main characters.

Kayleigh
Bramcote College Bookclub

This was a great book. I loved the plot line as it was full of unexpected surprises. The Action was great especially their runaway from the Drongos’. The ending was a little disappointing as she (spoiler alert) was a spite ; I think that maybe it could have been a bit more happy. But other than that it was a great read.

Helena A
Herts and Essex

This is a magical, spiritual book that slowly unwinds. The girl's secrets & mysteries gradually reveal themselves as the pair trek across the vast outback of Australia. I did not always see what was coming, and was surprised at some aspects of the story. I really enjoyed this book & would say it is likely to be my favourite this year, although I have not read all the books yet.

Jane
Bookies Book Group

Overall the book was really good. It was interesting and unique how they added the native Australian language. It made the book more interesting. One thing maybe I didn’t like that much is how something always happened. Every page is full of something important going on. May have been nice to be slower. I give it a 4/5.

William
Horsham BOok HUNTers

The book got me Intrigued when I read the first sentence. The storyline entered me into a world of fascination and out of this world imagination, this was no doubt the best book I have ever read. I highly recommend this book because its the perfect way to I introduce and build a story. Plot twists and cliff hangers were all included in this masterpiece. This was an advanced novel on a girl who doesn't know her name, who she is, where she is or how she ended up in the middle of a desert. Tarni, another girl from the first country, funds her and they embark on a risky exciting journey into the unknown abyss of Australia. Thank you for including this book!

Nola
Holmfirth High Yoto Crew!

The "Song Walker" by Zillah Bethell is a poignant and lyrical explanation of grief, healing, and the power of music. It is a hauntingly beautiful novel that is elegantly written. Definitely recommend this book!

Yusra
KEVICHG

This book was extremely well written diving immediately into the story, however it felt that for the first couple of chapters, the book was simply repeating itself. Once the plot stopped being repetitive at the point that the poachers approached Tarni and Sienna, it became a very involving read, convincing both Tarni and Sienna they were killers with a quarter of a million dollar reward prize on Sienna's head. This interesting narrative continued with many different twists of the storyline only to end with the massive plot twist. This ending felt incongruous to the rest of the book leaving me feeling disappointed and a bit confused with the read as I thoroughly enjoyed the majority of the book.

Freya
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

A girl ends up in the Australian outback, she has no idea how she got there she is wearing a fancy dinner dress, one shoe and a box she cannot open. For some reason, she cannot remember her name or how she got there, she wakes up and meets a girl called Tarni, who carries a cage with a bird called candelabra, who is helping her and she is from the outback, they become friends. They treck through the outback as Tarni is trying to meet her older sister who is called Brindabel. They both are helping the girl. The girls memories start to come back and she doesn’t tell Tarni some of these things. The girls end up getting sick, being rescued and then they manage to open the case. They discover how the girl got there, and what was in the case all along. The book has a lot of friendship, as the girls open up to each other and start to become good friends. The book has a good amount of culture in it, as Zillah Bethell does a amazing job representing Tarni and where she is from. I think the author did a good job on revealing parts of the girls' backgrounds adding some mystery to the story. Overall, I really liked this book as it had a bit of everything I like to see in a book, culture, friendship, adventure and mystery!

Rosie
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

Liana
Perse Carnegians

I enjoyed reading this book. The Song Walker is a book about a city girl’s experience in the outback. She meets a First Country Australian, Tarni, and they travel together to find Tarni’s sister. Among other things, this is a story of personal growth for both girls. This was meticulously woven together, and it was interesting to see Sienna’s memories and flashbacks turn into a backstory. The plot wasn’t the most exciting for me, as I prefer more fast paced books, however I really liked the way the music references were put together at the start of each part.

Liana
Perse Carnegians

Overall the book is really great. I suggest that you should read this book when you get the chance. The book was really interesting and made me think quite a bit. I give it an 8/10. It's not the best book I've read but definitely in my top 5.

William
Horsham BOok HUNTers

The Song Walker is a fantastic book with great characters and a fantastic plot. As they walk through the outback you learn more about the characters and their backstory, the girl or “Moonflower” as she was given a nickname, she also gets called Magpie later in the book. Birds seem to be the theme of this book as Tarni has a bird called Candelabra who she makes a cage while his wing heals, and the bird parallels “Moonflower” in the sense that they are lost or damaged and Tarni is there to help and guide them. Tarni cares deeply about Candelabra and when she looses him on Page 96, we see how much she values this bird despite her killing other birds without a second thought. The Ending was fantastic and in the end they choose to remain friends, throughout the book we follow these characters and “Moonflower” especially we see her begin to remember things through dreams and flashbacks.

Jamie
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I really enjoyed reading this book. From the very start there is so much mystery on who the main character is and their origins. She meets a friend named Tarni and together they explore looking for answers and wanting to find out more about each other. We find out that Tarni is looking for her sister and as the book progresses we slowly get more and more hints on Sienna's backstory, only finding out her name deep into the book. This book is set out in a way that makes you want to keep on pushing forward to uncover more things and that was what made this book really enjoyable for me. In total this is an amazing book and would recommend this book to anyone

Surya
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

The Song Walker, by Zillah Bethell, is an excellent book about friendship, mystery, and discovery. It was about two girls that find each other in the Australian outback and learn how to survive in their difficult situation. My favourite character was Tarni because she is kind, thoughtful and wise. She knows a great deal about the outback, as she was taught how to live by her sister. She sung many songs, that her ancestors sung, that guided her through the outback. Tarni is considerate and supports a girl, whom she does not know. The girl has no clue of who she is, where she comes from and why she is there. She only remembers a little from her past. Although, she does know she is carrying a box, however she does not know what lies inside. My favourite part in the book was discovering, in the end, the twist as the story took an amazing turn, as you could not see it coming. It was interesting to see how the girl changed after spending time with Tarni. I would recommend this book to fans of friendships and adventures. I suggest this book for the ages of 10 to 13. My rating would be 4.2 out of 5.

Annabelle
The Fitzharrys Shadows

The Song Walker was a great book with a really unexpected ending. I didn't like that the ending went too 'mystical' with spirits and the likes. I liked the idea behind it though, and the whole book was maybe not original (there are many books with characters suffering from memory loss), but still presented well. I liked how each part started with a musical term's definition to try and foreshadow that part. The fact that the first chapter was called the End was interesting, but if you think about it, it makes sense: technically the story ends where it started and it is just a spirit walk.

Aashaz
Ermysted’s

This was a beautiful novel about a girl who survived a plane crash and ended up in the barren terrain of the Australian outback. She is found by another girl who grew up in a tribe in the outback. She claimed she was searching for her sister and guided Sienna through the vast planes of Australia. However, she doesn't mention that her sister is a spirit and the people who help her along the way are simply mirages. She is also oblivious to the fact that the girl, Tarni, had discovered he true identity. This was an enthralling story with a truly heartwarming ending. It shows the benefits of failure and tells a tale of a great friendship. I think this is a great book for young adults and although at the beginning it feels confusing all mysteries are cleared up in the end. I think the author did a great job giving us a clear image of the setting and provoking emotion.

Khadija
Sharples Shadows

I greatly enjoyed The song walker. I especially loved the amazing friendship between the girls and I found it nice to have the girls the same age as me so I could relate to their conversations and feelings. I didn't enjoy the beginning as much as the end because I was confused by some of the events that took place, however it all made sense after the amazing plot twist at the end that brought the whole book together.

Hazel
Fortismere

I was really enjoying the book, its unique plot was intruiguing. the descriptiveness made me feel like i realy was in the australian outback and the charatcers had their emotions portrayed very clearly. how ever, the ending was a big dissapointment. after it was revealed that most o fthe characters we had met werent even 'real' it felt like the whole book was a lie. they wrere spirits not real living breathing humans so wreer they evn ever there? it leaves me with to many unanswered questions, like how did they was in the shower if it was never there? or how werev they filled up by debbonaires food if it wasnt even real? it leaves me feel irrated, the author cant introduce this huge plot point and end the book just like that.

Mae
Fortismere

In my opinion, I found this book was more suitable for people that don't read that often, like me. This book was more dialogue focused then description which I liked. The plot was interesting because of the mystery of the main characters and how they survived by themselves. Overall I really enjoyed this book.

Meenma
Kingdown 24

I really enjoyed this book. I would give it 9/10

Emilie
Rebel Readers

I didnt really like this book. It wasn't terrible, but it had a slow pace and it took a while to read. It wasn't the worst, but it was still not one of my favourites. At least it was better then steady for this. 6/10

Elliott.H
Ermysted’s

The Song Walker is an uplifting tale that is set in the extensive Australian Outback. One day, a girl wakes up in the desert and she can't recall anything - where is she? How did she end up here? And...who even is she? She encounters Tarni, a girl on a secret mission of her own. Together, they venture on a long and tiring journey through the arid desert in pursuit of answers to both of their quests. I thought The Song Walker was a decent book. Zillah Bethell told the story beautifully through outstanding descriptions - the writing was spectacular. During the book, I felt a mixture of emotions. The parts that surprised me the most was when we find out the lost girl’s identity and when we discover why Tarni is on an adventure across the desert. My favourite character is Tarni because she is confident and a fighter. On the other hand, the main thing that I disliked about this book was the perplexing ending; I had to re-read the last couple of pages a few times to try and get a better understanding of it, but I still have questions about it. Still Life, the last section, added even more confusion to it for me. Additionally, I found it quite slow and dull at times. I didn't feel interested throughout - it wasn't until chapter seventeen that I started feeling intrigued. To conclude, I think The Song Walker is a wonderful and well-written story; however, it was a rather slow storyline and wasn’t engaging throughout. I would possibly recommend this book to keen readers aged 11+.

Lucy
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I think it was cool how they saw mirages along the journey like the pool of water but in the end everyone they met were spirits and mirages.

Heath
Aldridge School Readers

This book is a fabulous creation it involves descriptive and inspiring language. It is based on two girls who are lost in the heat of the day and stuck in the dessert they are desperately hoping for a stroke of luck and someone who can help them find what they are looking for. I am going to try not to spoil it but do give it a read. this for me is a four star book. enjoy. :)

max
Macaulay Book Club

I chose The Song Walker as my first book because the blurb had me hooked with the mention of a mystery which is my favourite book genre. The book starts with a lot of questions which kept leading me on to finish the book as I wanted to know all of the answers although some were harder to find than others. The whole time the author was slightly hinting towards what would happen at the end I noticed a few of them but didn't think much of them as they were subtle and well written. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending the first time that I read it as I thought the story could have had some closure to it, but reading the book a second time helped me realise why the author didn't want to end the book with a straight forward answer, instead we were left to pick up what we could and piece together the puzzle for ourselves which was much more enjoyable than getting handed it in my opinion. At first I thought that the main character was Sienna but over time I came to the conclusion that the story belonged to Tarni as Sienna accompanied her on the journey as she tried to find her sister. Overall I think it was a great book with a deep cultural meaning and an ending which can be understood in many different ways and not just one which had me a bit confused at the beginning but eventually gave me a bit of insight towards the legends and the way of life in the harsh Australian Outback.

Maya
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

I thought this was a very nice book, as it revealed the traditions and practices of the First Country Australians, as well as giving the main character a different perspective on her own life, and making her change. I thought this was a very wholesome book. I would give this book an 8 out of 10.

Rishi
Ermysted’s

I really enjoyed the book, the characters were both completely different in their personalities and backgrounds. And at the end finding out they were all spirits was really interesting. The book also contained a lot of Australian words which I really enjoyed as I was almost learning some of a new language! Tarni and Tidda were also made a very good team despite there many differences one being a city girl and one growing up in a rough place having to work to survive!

Ava
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

The Song Walker is a really good book with lots of surprises and secrets that get uncovered at the end. It is a heartwarming story and cannot be put down once started.

Amelia
Skipton Shadows

An incrediby unique story with lovable characters and a good pace. It truly makes you see things from different persepctives of life

Emily
St Kaths

This book was interesting and entertaining but I didn’t find it that unique. The plot was clever and the contrast of two totally different characters meeting in the middle of nowhere brought the story alive. I also appreciated the accuracy of the violin playing!

Rosanna
KEVICHG

This book, THE SONG WALKER, is an absolutely amazing book. It is a story of friendship and bravery and courage. It is set under the blue skies of Australia. It is truly a spellbounding book. The SONG WALKER she is lost and confused in the middle of the dessert land she has no idea where to go, or where she is or what to do or what she is doing there. She is then saved by girl called Tari who is a country girl 👢. She appears to be a kind,thoughtful and calm person. As they fight to journey across the territory their friendship grows stronger and stronger their secrets are unfold which was really exiting for me to read. Throughout the story their relationship grows stronger and stronger as the girls begin to trust each other more and more. I really love the ending although I would liked to have known more of what happened to her parents. All in all I really enjoyed reading this book. 😊

Methaya
VISTA Academy

The song walker was a beautifully intricate book. I loved the dream tracks / song lines that were threaded throughout the story. The simple act of the two friends deciding that they were capable of making their own dream track as well as following other peoples was a trailblazing moment. It showed that even if you don't know who you are yet, that is ok. the journey there is everlasting and full of emotion and people. You just have to be brave enough to get back up again and keep on walking, even if you only have one shoe.

Zoë
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

This book is about a girl who wakes up in a desert not knowing who she is, what is her name and why is she holding a case and missing a shoe? Here she is given a little water from a girl who says she can come with her, but to where? Every part of their journey is not mapped out but sung, can they cross the desert only relying on an ancient song? Soon they discover each girl is hiding some secrets or experiences. Overall, I would give this book out of 10 stars 9.5 because I loved the twist at the end, I wasn’t expecting it. Negatives are hard to find, but one thing I must say is that I think there was a perfect number of characters so you could easily remember who’s who. I would recommend this book to children over 9 who like mystery and adventure.

Sophia
The Fitzharrys Shadows

I like very much this book from the beginning to the end because since the first few lines it was eye-catching, I wanted to know what was wrong with the girl, why was she in that situation. The way it’s written is engaging, every time I turned the page there was always something new and exciting to read, I would say I was seeing it all. I loved how the writer made you feel that everything in the story was real and then by the end you find out not everything is what it seems, or is it… This books makes you learn new words from a very different language the Alyawarre and my favourite was yaye (older sister). I hope anyone who reads this review will also read The Song Walker and have the wonderful adventure I did.

Isabel
Fortismere

I really enjoyed reading this book! I read the whole book in one sitting; I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed how the context of the story and the characters is developed over time, and that you learn things about the story at the same time as the main character does. A lot of the twists in the story make sense when re-reading the story, for example the title of the first chapter: “The end”. I would definitely recommend this book to one of my friends (in fact, I already have!). This is the first of the nominated books that I’ve read, so I’m not sure what to compare it to, but I hope all the others are just as exciting, heartfelt, and magical!

Sofia
Wyedean School

A young girl wakes up in the desert. She doesn't know who she is. This is the beginning of an exciting adventure that only gets more and more exciting with each page. Our protagonist meets Tarni, a girl struggling with a mystery of her own. They both go together to find answers - not knowing that they are both hiding secrets. Overall, I really like this book, particularly the character of Tarni - who was strong and confident about herself. I really liked how they worked together to find the answers they are looking for. I would give this book FIVE STARS! (Amazing and fun to read).

Romeela
Rockwood Reads

A girl wakes up in the Australian outback with no memory of anything. All she knows is that she is carrying a heavy metal case. Soon she meets Tarni, a girl who helps her to survive the harsh landscape. I very much enjoyed this book and found the characters easy to relate to. The survival and journey themes make the book very effective and gripping due to us as the reader being clueless on future plot or twists. Overall I would rate this book 10/10.

Simon
The Fitzharrys Shadows

The story is quite mysterious with a thrilling and full plot that includes family, friendship and spirits. The characters are funny and their interactions are very realistic with a friendship that fluctuates quickly. It references First Country Australians and their beliefs, religions and traditions. There are moments in the story which show discrimination and loss which shows empathy. The style of the writing has the right amount of description and detail to keep readers involved and wanting to continue. I liked reading this book very much and I recommend it to others that are willing to go through a fair amount of pages and words.

James
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This book was an interesting mix of adventure and mystery. There were lots of clues hidden around the book that made me want to keep going to find out the mystery of this girl lost in the Outback. It was a little confusing at times, like when I learnt that Eddy among others were actually just mirages. I really recommend this book.

William B
Ermysted’s

this is probably my favourite book out of this years Carnegies so far just because it has a nice plot and its a good length. The end is a bit confusing because you find out that the main character is a spirit but then she goes and plays in an art gallery which was a bit confusing but overall I thought it was a good book

Alfie S
Ermysted’s

I found most of this book to be really good however I thought that the ending wasn't as good as the rest of the book because it was too fast paced compared to the rest of the book. However this could reflect the way in which memories return at an increasing rate.

Ermysted’s

This book showed excellent description, as if you could see the whole book happening inside your head. I am a big fan of mysteries and this book gives you the puzzle pieces and you put them together as the book goes on. The Song Walker doesn’t just show Tarni and Sienna trying to find their way but also gives them the chance to find their own identity and they help each other achieve that, I find this book has a lot of meaning behind it and very fun to read, I would definitely recommend!

Alice
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This is a thought-provoking book, set in the Australian Outback, about a developing friendship between two girls: a city girl who has all the privileges and advantages in life and a First Nations girl who learns to live with very little food and few possessions. The story travels through the outback of Australia as the two girls live off the land, using nature's resources to survive. I was captivated by the scenery and it made me want to visit the Australian outback straightaway. I was also engrossed in the blossoming friendship of the girls who are so different but teach each other some valuable lessons. By the end of the book I felt uplifted and hopeful for the power of long lasting friendships and girl power!

Ms Taylor
Bredon Readers

Carnegie Book Review Of The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell I really liked this book, as there were some amazing characters and a brilliant plot. I love the mystery behind the characters identity, and the way it was like a jigsaw puzzle, how they pieced together Magpie’s (the main character’s) memory. I loved the plot twists and the friends Magpie made along the way. All together an awesome book.

Estlin K
Ermysted’s

I liked The Song Walker because of the plot twist at the end and how it is all about the main characters memory loss and how her character develops throughout the book. I also enjoyed how we learn about the different cultures of the First Country Australian people. I think it took quite a long time to really get into the main part of the book and it can be repetitive at points but it still was quite interesting and I liked the plot.

Felicity
Brooke Weston Book Busters

Two strangers meeting to find their own quest encountering the truth, spirits and myths during their adventurous journey. The author wrote about the girls' feelings in an empathetic way. Strangers becoming friends despite their different backgrounds. The book is an enjoyable read. I like the author's style of writing.

Michelle
Shaftesbury School Shadowers

I liked the book because it was simple and the plot was constantly varying. However, I don't think this book is my winner the Yoto Carnegie prize, because I found that the plot changes made it difficult to follow.

Tommy-lee
Beckfoot Oakbank Carnegies

The song walker might be a contender to win for me, throughout the book I was on the edge of my seat and waiting for the next exciting moment to happen near. The plot and structure was amazing and the character might be my favourite apart from Kofi from the door of no return. But overall I Rate this book a 9/10, a brilliant book.

Oliver S
Ermysted’s

I really enjoyed this book and thought the storyline was very good, it always left me wanting to know what happens next. Overall i would rate this book 9 out of 10.

Henry K
Ermysted’s

This is one of the best books I have ever read. The secrets and plot twists keep the story interesting.

Alice
Herts and Essex

I really enjoy The Song Walker. I thought it was really well written as you only know a little about the characters this means that you are taken on the journey with them. You find out what they find out. The story line was so good as it helped the mystery along.

Willow
Ely College Reading Group

This book was amazing and the story line was great.There were so many secrets and hidden easter eggs to find throughout the adventure to find out at the end that the people in the jeep were nasty ghosts and everybody that Tarni had met were all just friendly ghosts guiding her to her sister. This was a great book and I would recommend this book if you like cliffhanger and secret stories to read. I really enjoyed this and is a fantastic book.

Joshua R
Ermysted’s

Overall I like this book but I think that in the ending everything happened a bit too fast, as in they spent their whole time walking for days across the outback in extreme conditions for basically nothing! Tarni knew her sister had passed yet she still went looking for her anyway which I found quite confusing, then after about five or so pages Sienna remembered her whole life ( I understand that was because Tarni had read the newspaper but some of the things she had mentioned weren't mentioned in the newspaper) and I the thing I most didn't understand if Sienna was un-alive or a "spirit walker". However, I did find it interesting learning more about the First Country people in Australia.

Antonia
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This book is unlike any other I have read. Usually the main character always knows who they are. However in this book the main character has no idea who she is or where she is. I quite enjoyed how in each chapter little snippets are revealed about Siena which you can piece together. I did think that the book was a bit slow at times because most chapters are just Siena and Tarni just walking and the occasional memory re-surfacing. Overall I really enjoyed this book and it is the best Carnegie book I have read (so far).

Yusuf K
Ermysted’s

I read the book called The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell. It is a story written in a way that makes it easy to read and take in what the storyline is about. It is set in modern-day Australia. At the start off the book, a girl, who does not know her name, age, or anything for that matter, wakes up in the middle of nowhere. She later finds out that she is in the heart of the Australian outback or “The Bush.” After a nice nap, she is rudely awoken by a strange girl in blue dungarees. This unlikely double act soon gets to know each other and make the everlasting journey to find civilization and this strange girl's sister. Throughout the way they face difficulties: starvation, dehydration, and attempted kidnapping at a gun's point. Eventually, they reach a town and realise that a lot of this adventure was just spiritual hallucinations. My favourite thing about the book is: if you stick to something, you can always achieve your goals. I would personally recommend it for readers 11+.

Zackary WF
Ermysted’s

In my opinion, The Song Walker was a very good and interesting read. It clearly showed how two very different people can become best of friends, even when they go through multiple hardships together, fighting to survive an extreme environment and events that threatened their existence. The story was about two girls travelling the Northern Territory; one trying to find her sister and the other trying to find herself. The unexpected twist was when most of the beings they met on their journey turned out to be spirits of the Australian outback.

Sebastian H
Ermysted’s

I have very mixed feelings about this book and I also found it very confusing, especially at the end. Near to the start I thought that this book wasn't going to be great and to be honest, very boring. However the more I read, the more interesting it became and the more I wanted to read on. I was also not expecting the plot twist at the end at all.

Emma
Bookiewookiedoodaas

An incredible story that gives us an insight into another culture, not often spoken about. It shows how one person can develop and learn who they are just from the help of a friend and is so wholesome. A perfect mix of friendship, adventure and mystery with a hint of fantastical things. My only negative is that the concept revealed at the end was slightly confusing but overall a great book.

Milly
LSST Library Shadowers

This book greatly attracts people’s attention. It is filled with adventure and thrills about a girl who lost her memory and is trying to find her identity on her path.

ming
Ermysted’s

The Song Walker is about a girl who is lying in the Australian Outback with just desert surrounding her. The girl has no idea who she is or how she got here and the only things that she carries is a mysterious coded briefcase. She eventually is found by a girl, belonging to the First Country community in Australia, called Tarni. Tarni is on her way in the desert in order to find her older sister Brindabel who has left home. During the book, as the girl doesn’t remember her name, Tarni names her loads of different names such as Moonflower and Magpie, but as Tarni finds out the girls real name, she decides not to use that and in fact name her a name that rhymes with Tarni. As well as this, the girl and Tarni find out how the girl ended up in the Australian Outback which finds answers to the visions that the girl sees. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially to people that like the adventure genre as Zillah Bethel, the author, keeps you engaged from the start of the book and the girl. For example, the first chapter is called ‘the end’ which makes you feel quite curious and eager to find out why it is called ‘the end.’ As well as this, the writer uses lots of figurative language making you feel as if you are in the Australian Outback with the girl and Tarni. However, a thing that slightly perplexed me was how when the girl remembered her name, she remembered everything about her life which I didn’t understand how. But, as this was the only thing I was confused about, I give this book a solid 4 stars and this is a good contender to win the Medal for Writing.

Manas
MTS Northwood

I really enjoyed reading 'The Song Walker'. It is a book that is heart-breaking as well as heart-warming. The reader feels very confused throughout the book, even until near the end. At the start of the book, I felt some things were randomly written or placed in the book, but you definitely understand it all when the book comes to an end. I think it is shown really well how two completely different strangers meet, Tarni and Sienna. At the start, Sienna relies on Tarni to keep her safe, and by the middle of the book, Tarni and Sienna both rely on each other. My favourite part of the book was when Sienna found out her name, then all her memories came flooding back to her. I definitely would rate this book a 10/10

Jennifer
Rebel Readers

A gripping story that was full of tension and kept me asking questions while reading that I really wanted to know the answers to. Just when I thought I had caught onto the events and predicted an ending, the twist towards the end makes this such a beautiful story about friendship, adventure and courage. It was also interesting to learn about some of the traditions that aboriginal people have established and to that they are being embedded within younger generations also.

Miss Bajrami
STCCG Shadowing

The Song Walker is about a girl's journey through the Australian Outback. Along the way she meets a girl, they start travelling through the desert but come across some problems along the way. The characters in it is a girl who then meets another girl who was quite mysterious at first. The way the author presents this style of this book is very descriptive and persuasive it makes it feel like you are in the book too. The book never gets boring: there is always something right around the corner to look forward to. The book is full of action and adventure. It drew me in very quickly and was fun to read.

Imogen
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

The book was a very fun read and I enjoyed it massively, it was very well written in my opinion. The book had lots of plot twists and with every piece of Sienna's memory coming back more of the story made sense and the story started fitting together making Sienna's backstory clearer including many little plot twists but none prepared me for the big twist at the end which came totally unexpected. I liked the plot as it all ended up as just spirits my favourite part of the book was the ending it was very enjoyable to read as the ending was unexpected.

Sophie
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

This was a book which, in my opinion, took an awfully long time to get to the point. For the first half-to-three-quarters of the book, I thought that the book would just be about Tarni and Sienna walking… and walking… and walking. Once it got to the point, though, it was a very good story. The epilogue was very welcome in my mind, and the story was quite good.

Huxley
Fortismere

I enjoyed how the story progressed through the book and how Sienna's name changed with every major event. I also liked how at the end Candelabra symbolised Brindabell when it flew off. i didn't really like the ending as it was very confusing and made the rest of the story feel a bit strange when you think that it was just her soul walking the entire time. Overall i would give it a 8/10

Robin
Ermysted’s

This book was structured amazingly, and had a great plot and story line. I really liked that at the start Moonflower didn't know anything about herself and discovered herself as she carried on her adventure. I really liked how the author has used Moonflowers' dreams to kind of give her an insight into who she was before the accident, without clearly giving it away, and making her interpret these dreams in a different way. Personally, I really enjoyed this book and I am pleased that it has made it onto the shortlist. This book is a must read if you like books with suspense, drama and action and also if you don't enjoy those topics, this book will no doubt make you enjoy them. This is a must buy, I would give it a solid 8 out of ten; some points in the book weren't clear about what was going on and this made it a bit harder to understand. Other than that, this book is great !

William
Wymondham Book Wizards

I thought it was a great book, as I enjoyed the adventure element of the book and the storyline, If it was to be better, I think it should of had been a few more chapters in the book but other than that, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it and read it again 🙂

Esmee
Paulet Readers

The Song Walker is a book about two young girls that are lost in the Australian outback. One of the girls, Tarni is a part of the first country Australians appears to be searching for something or someone while the other girl ,who goes by many names, is wandering aimlessly through the Australian outback with only a metal case, a single black shoe and a black dress. She can’t remember why/how she got there or who she is. Personally I really liked this book because the characters feel real and use accurate knowledge to survive the harsh environment that they are in. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the ending/ last few chapters as I felt as if it was rushed and just came out of nowhere it also didn’t quite make sense with the rest of the story. Overall, The Song Walker was a pleasure to read and I recommend it to people who have read books by Sophie Anderson e.g. The Girl Who Speaks Bear, The House with Chicken Legs and The Thief Who Sang Storms just to name a few. I would give The Song Walker a rating of 4/5.

Tilly
The Fitzharrys Shadows

It’s soooo good. I really love the type of story of what the story is about and there’s always words written in attalic when the characters in the book are thinking about something or something extreme happens or a dream. I don’t think the ending was that good because it didn’t really match to what the whole story was about, I was expecting it to be way better but overall I’d definitely give it a 9.5/10.

Naomi
Herts and Essex

This book is a marvel of environmental worldbuilding as the culture and feel of the Australian outback is propelled from ink to mind in a vividly enduring way. The protagonist's amnesia about her own life that flashes periodically reminds me of Project Hail Mary (Another amazing book), It creates a sense of story progression that extends both forward and backwards in time. Truly a must read 9/10

Theo U
VISTA Academy

I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was very clever the way that who the girl was got clearer and clearer as the book went on. This was one of those books that once I'd read the first bit I wanted to read the next bit. I learnt a lot about the Australian First Country and it helped me think about another world totally separate to mine. I loved the characters of Tarni and "Moonflower" and thought the author, Zillah Bethell, got the characters just right. The ending also made me think for a long time about the book. I'd recommend this to any keen reader.

Aidan M
Ermysted’s

Naomi
Herts and Essex

This book is about a girl who is lost in the Australian Outback and can't remember anything about her past life. She is found by a girl named Tarni who is a first country person exploring the outback with her pet bird called candelabra. This book was in my opinion a great book. All of the story was very interesting and I liked how it was sectioned up into parts and then chapters. I also liked the fact that the author used words used in Australia and how some of the dialogue was written in a way that told you that Tarni has a strong Australian accent. The only downside was that the ending of the book was a little confusing and I had to read it more than once to understand what was going on. I would recommend this book to people who are funny and enjoy a little bit of suspense that can also be comical at times and I would also say that it should be read by children age 11 up because of some of the topics that it deals with. Overall I would give this book 8/10, the only thing that let it down was the ending.

Seren
The Fitzharrys Shadows

The Song Walker was a really fantastic book that quite literally brought tears to my eyes. The way the main character developed as the story progressed really inspired me. Usually, I find the symbolism in stories rather annoying, but Bethell does a fantastic job of making it understandable. This story was also very thought provocative, leading to an even deeper understanding of the character's lives and the authors intentions. On the other hand, I would have preferred it if we knew slightly more about how the main character and her friend turned out as we didn't really get a lot of detail as to what happened. Overall, I really enjoyed this book as the characters were my age and while they were relatable, they were completely different to what I would have expected. I would definitely recommend this book!

Kristina
Brooke Weston Book Busters

Really cool story which makes you question every word you read as well an incredible and unexpected ending

Martha
Oxted Carnegie Group

It's a good book but a slow start to it

Libby
Sir Harry’s Shadowers

The Song Walker was a really fabulous book. It showed a beautiful friendship growing from two strangers. I really enjoyed reading this book and I love that it showed different aspects of the Australian outback. This book also focused on finding her sister. I think that it was very thrilling.

Bella
Kingdown 24

I really enjoyed this book, but it isn't the type of book I would usually go for. It was very well written and had such good plot twists that you wouldn't expect. I love their friendship and the fact that one girl is looking for her sister and one is looking for herself.

Jasmin
Kingdown 24

I really enjoyed this book, wonderfully engaging and fast paced. Interesting characters and plot made this a really good read.

Walter
St Kaths

The song walker was a very interesting book. I liked the mystery at the beginning, and how memories gradually unfolded as she began to realise who she was. I also enjoyed the Australian culture parts, and how the two girls began to make friends along their journey. However, I didn't particularly like the twist at the end. But overall I would definitely recommend this book.

Mabel
High Storrs Carnegie Shadowing Group

'The Song Walker' is a very passionate, spiritual, mysterious and captivating read that envelopes the concept of friendship, identity and dealing with grief. The author did a fantastic job at describing the danger and beauty of the outback, whilst relating to grief and it was overall a fantastic book.

Cianna
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

The book "The songwalker" in my opinion is a good book. I really like how the author Zillah Bethell shines a light on the stolen generations of Australia. But I found the ending confusing and it felt unconnected to the rest of the book. Furthermore I didn't like how the items given to Sienna and Tarni all disappeared at the end as that raises many more questions than it answers. But overall it is a good book excluding the ending.

Martha
Fortismere

I really liked this book. I liked how the birds were singing and how it had a different language and the songs were in a different language.

Haleemah
The Reading Queens

This an excellent story about two girls, one searching for a missing sister and another finding herself and her legacy again. Their bond grows throughout the story, facing the problems and the lies. The plot twists are immaculate and can't be seen coming. This is an amazing adventure book with emotions built inside it.

Amelia
Reepham Readers

I enjoyed this book the plot was interesting and the quest to find her sister was thrilling. However, I didn't understand the whole " Tarni's sister is dead" thing

Amelia
GreatB00ks

I really enjoyed this book as it has a great representation of Australian outback culture. The book was full of excitement and puzzles. I would recommend it to readers of ages 9-14.

Juliette
GreatB00ks

I think that this book was well written and interesting but i think that it was not really my sort of thing. I didnt really think it was an amazing story for me but it was very well written

Ellie
GreatB00ks

Loved this book! What a read! The best so far for me (I have read 5 at this point). The tale of 2 strangers and their budding friendship. The writing takes you on a journey with the girls - not just reading it, but seeing it. Ever step is taken with them. When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who or where she is. She meets Tarni who is on a quest to find her sister. Together, they navigate the Australian Outback using songs that Tarni and her ancestors have been singing for thousands of years. They meet a variety of characters along the way. beautifully written and very engaging! Oh and the illustrations are gorgeous too!

Mrs Allsopp
The Reading Queens

The Song Walker is about two girls journey across the outback, and their minds. I really liked this book because of the amazing narrative and basis in 1st country folklore. I also liked the representation of candelabra (the bird) in his cage and when he was set free, so was siennas spirit.However, I thought that it was an unsatisfactory ending.

Caiden o
VISTA Academy

'The Song Walker' is a captivating book which has amazing plot twists and is always intriguing. In 'The Song Walker', you can feel the characters' feelings and the writer allows for the reader's imagination to explore the book and characters further. In the first half of the book, it is a very slow read but the second half is very captivating and exciting to read.

Lucia
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

I LOVE songwalker I can see why it has been chosen. There is this girl who one day wakes up forgetting everything about her life, why she is here what her name is - not a single memory stayed. She meets a girl names Tarni. They are on a quest to find her sister who ran away from home and the girl find out about herself slowly through the book, but is the truth to hard to bear?

Mahiba
The Reading Queens

The Song Walker was the most extraordinary book full of twists especially at the end where there is a major plot twist. It sets scene in the Australian Outback with 2 girls, 1 of which lost her memory.They try to piece together who she actually is well surviving in the Outback. This instantly got me to keep reading as I wanted to know who she actually is.However the plot twist at the end was very unexpected unless you were paying very close attention. This made the book interesting. You also feel a lot of emotions for the characters almost like you are there. Overall this is a very good book and deserves a space in the top 8 books for the Carnegie book award.

Hengxuan
Norwich School Carnegie Shadowers

Amazing, I couldn't put it down, it was the best book I've read for ages!

Katie
Wolfpack

An incredible, addictive book about self-discovery and honouring your past, filled with jaw-dropping plot twists and a beautiful story-line. This book takes on two very difficult topics throughout, managing to weave them into an elegant and fascinating plot, exploring loss of other people as well as loss of your own identity. The unique culture, harrowing journey and enthralling mystery, as well as the stunningly unexpected ending, made this book extremely interesting to read and I would definitely recommend it.

Hidayah
KEVICHG

The Song Walker, by Zillah Bethell, is a gripping, page-turning novel about a girl who finds herself in the Australian Outback and how she can rediscover her identity. She has only one shoe, and is carrying a mysterious, locked briefcase. She meets another girl, Tarni, who is also in the desert as she is on her own mysterious quest. I loved the book, as it so vividly described the desert setting, and Bethell explores many ideas like trust and relationship. Overall, it is a great book, with many twists and turns, and I could not recommend it more!

Zachary
MTS Northwood

To me this book has a good insight into the culture of Australian first country people and I really enjoyed the story of the violinist of many names who went with Tarni. However, to me the end didn't make much sense and really confused me even after reading it over three times. Still I loved this book and it was really intriguing.

James
SHS On The Same Page

The Song Walker is an absolutely stunning and deeply moving story a story of friendship of courage and of hope set in the beauty of the australian outback that had a lot of mystery

Rajanp
Ermysted’s

When a young girl wakes up , alone in the desert she doesn’t know who she is or where she is . As she travels across the desert , with a new friend , she has to discover her true identity… I really enjoyed this book because the characters had great personalities that were fun to explore . There were lots of twists and turns in the plot that kept me intrigued. However , towards the end there are quite large plot twists that can get a bit confusing . Finally , I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure .

Holly
VISTA Academy

The Song Walker This book has an nice story behind it, leading to an enjoyable read. The idea of an unknown backstory will have helped to intrigue the reader throughout this book as it is well written and lets out the correct information at the correct time. The plot was mainly simple and undramatic but was well developed. Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the character development as there are extremely few characters in this book due to the focus on Sienna and Tarni. The book centres around their relationship and how their bond grows throughout their journey through the outback. This is presented well as there are many other things to think about such as the plot and ending yet it is still given the attention it needed which is why it stood out to me. Something that disappointed me however, is in the middle of the book where nothing is really going on and it feels like the author just wanted to add a few more words in as it was mainly completely irrelevant dialogue. Off that topic, in the epilogue, the setting, idea and character adaptation all perfectly continued Sienna and Tarni’s story which started at the same standard. This led to an excellent finish to the book. Overall, this book seemed like the average book; there were some stand out parts and some disappointing parts but mainly just some solid chunks of writing and a good finish. Score: Characters:18/20 Plot:16/20 Inspiration:16/20

Sevan
Ermysted’s

A sweet book about friendship and pushing through hardships, and also trust. I would rate this book 62/70, the reason being it didn't have much character description or action, and also the part where they trek through the desert is a bit boring as it is quite samey each day. Overall a good book that I would recommend to readers that like a seemingly lighthearted story with a dark twist.

Isobel
Skipton Shadows

I really enjoyed the Song Walker as I always liked the Australian Outback and this taught me more about it that I did not know. This book was interesting as at the end everything that happened turned out to be a spirit. What I did not understand was if Sienna was a spirit or not. I loved how Tarni and "Tinna" were still friends after they fell out and both pursued their separate passions together.

James W-B
Ermysted’s

this book is amazing. one of my favorites.

abdulm
Ermysted’s

I liked this book more than the others. It had a nice plot and a conclusive end. My favourite part was when she finally found out who she was. My least favourite thing was how she constantly changed names.

Hasan i
Ermysted’s

I thought that this book was full of emotion and good characters and is a great read for younger students. Would definitely recommend.

Edie
St Kaths

This book was an interesting read - I liked how the plot thickened as more and more information was gained, and the unprecedented twists that came with the characters' revelations. I especially liked the duality of the book's title, having both a metaphorical and literal meaning to it. Overall, this book was amazing and exceeded my expectations with its story and the depth of its characters!

Leyla
KEVICHG

Amazing It is awesome

Amy
Sir Harry’s Shadowers

I loved this book. Its take on religion is something I've never seen before. It's about a young girl who is found in the middle of the Outback with no idea who or where she is. Throughout the book it references ancestors and elders frequently; the culture does not address a dead person by name but by a placeholder term. The ending for me was extremely impactful and changed the way I thought about the book. I loved the detailed description of the landscape and frequently repeated moments ('left, right, left, right'). Overall, this book was brilliant and a strong candidate for the winner.

Alice
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

I think that this is the best Carnegie book I have read this year, I like that it has a focus on adventure and it isn't a typical love story which is good but at the end i was wishing that it didn't end as it did as it pretty much made the whole story irrelevant and without the epilogue it would have been a lot worse.

IsaacJ
Ermysted’s

This book is amazing! It starts off very simple, but as it progresses, the plot grows deeper, without losing the reader. The Alaywarre culture shown in the book is beautifully represented, and explained, while not taking away from the story. However, I did find that the ending may be a bit confusing for some readers. Altogether, this book is full of mystery, great characters and colourful Australian culture!

Edward L
Ermysted’s

I like this book because of how unique it is. In my opinon the mystery is the thing that actually kept me interested in the story. I liked how the book gave you a clear idea of Tarn and her friend's personality. I give this a 8/10

Baasim
Ermysted’s

'The Song Walker' was a good book. Here are some good and bad points from my view. Bad Points: The plot could have been simpler. Good Points: It had a good plot. Easy to understand what is happening. Gives hints through out the book about the ending. Overall, I really liked 'The Song Walker' and think it is a really good book. I would recommend to others.

Laila
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

The song walker is a brilliant read. It highlights one of the world's most under-represented traditions in the allyaware and shows the incredible tradition of living with one of the most unforgiveable lands in the world. I also loved the way it brought two people from vastly different lives and created an amazing friendship. It is a journey that is one in two; Sienna's is one of remembering who she is, whilst Tarni goes through the stages of grief, whilst they both journey down the dreampaths of the ancestors songs. great book 5/5 for me.

QuillanA
Ermysted’s

This book has very interesting characters and an enthralling mystery. The humour is entertaining and within the first few chapters, you can get a clear idea of both Tarn and her friends personality. The mystery kept me invested till the end of the story.

Hussain
FPHS Reading Crew

Well written book. Brings together two girls who are strangers and are around the same age. One girl is rich and the other is poor. However both girls build a close bond, despite having completely different upbringings. There is a surprising twist towards the end.

Angela
Greenford High CSG

I really enjoyed this book and the story it told as I did not previously know much at all about Aboriginals and their beliefs and culture. The setting was described in a way that made it easy to imagine, which I really appreciated as I often find it hard to picture places/characters in my head. I think it was important to show the stereotypes towards First Country people and the contrast of how people perceive them compared to what they are actually like and what they believe. I liked the two main characters and their respective backgrounds and reasons for being in the outback. However, it got quite confusing and I was surprised by the revelations near the end and what they meant. I loved the epilogue though as it provided a more satisfying and wholesome ending to the story.

Rosie
Bookiewookiedoodaas

I really liked this book. I think the way Sienna developed throughout the book was great. I think the ending was shocking but I liked how Tarni became an artist and how their friendship progressed through the book.

Laura
The St. Bede’s Literary Critics

Incredible story that shows the struggles of not knowing where you are and also the friendships that can be formed on the fly when both parties are struggling. The use of indigenous peoples is really interesting as well as educational. Would definitely recommend.

Sam S
Ermysted’s

This was a very unique story about a girl who had lost all her memories about who she was and had somehow ended up in the middle of an Australian desert. I really enjoyed this book and the ending was very plot twisting. I would rate this book a 9/10

Bassit
Ermysted’s

This was a very peculiar book about a random girl in the middle of the Outback discovering who she really was and then wanting to change how she behaved. I liked the dynamic between her and Tarni who was also on a journey.

Aaron
Ermysted’s

The Song Walker

Zillah Bethell

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