Mahalia
Joanne Horniman

Allen & Unwin 2001 204p pbk $16.95

1-86508-442-5

 

Mahalia is a book about a 17-year-old boy called Matt who has to take care of a baby all by himself. Though the story line may seem uninteresting and bland, enough events happen to keep you reading. The author is truly a poet. Even with Matt’s struggle with money, Joanne Horiman describes Mahalia so beautifully that you instantly fall in love with the baby. You go through a wide range of emotions: pity, happiness, wonder and many more.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I thought Joanne Horiman did a great job! I recommend this book for 14 – 18 year olds or anyone who loves to read about babies and struggles with money!

Reviewer: Rebecca, Year 9, Canberra, ACT
Mahalia is a realistic fiction book that is best read as a read alone. It is written by Joanne Horniman and published by Allen & Unwin in 2001. Mahalia is about a 17 year old boy, Matt, who lives with his mum and his baby daughter, Mahalia, in a small town. Emmy, Matt's teenage girlfriend couldn't cope with looking after her baby, so it is left to Matt. After a little while, Matt decides that he wants some independence for himself so he and Mahalia move into a small house with two other girls. Living on a very low income and having to get money, Matt has to sell his guitar, which he loved to play as it would help to soothe Mahalia most of the time. When Mahalia starts staying awake all night, Matt felt that he hated her. This really shook him. But thanks to his friends and someone special, he gets some time without her and learns to love her again.

I would recommend Mahalia for 13-15 year olds. I think that the language is appropriate for the recommended age. It is good in the way that it's saying that if you get pregnant and have the baby while you're still so young, you probably won't have money for extras, but only for basics that and you might not cope.

Naomi, aged 14, Canberra, ACT

Mahalia is a baby girl, whose parents, Matt and Emmy, are both dropouts from school and in their late teens.  But Emmy has taken off, leaving Matt to care for Mahalia.  This realistic type of book portrays how at first Matt learns to take care of his daughter, how to let others care for her, and how to get over heartbreak and live again.  It is aimed at teens and parents. Teens, to show them just how much work a baby takes, and to parents because they can relate to the problems Matt goes through. 

I found this book one of the best I have ever read, for it is written like a life, and so it all makes sense.  I would recommend that you read this book by yourself, so that you can fully enjoy they storyline.  If you have ever loved, wished, won or lost in life, then this is a book you should read.

Ros, aged 15, Canberra, ACT