Girl of the Year 2021: Kira Down Under

 Published: 2021. Author: Erin Teagan. Illustrator: Millie Liu.

Summary

Ten-year-old Michigander Kira Bailey loves animals. She's happy to help out with foster puppies and kittens, and thrilled to be heading to the Australian state of Queensland for two weeks to see her great-aunts and the wildlife sanctuary where one of them works (especially since it's a nice distraction from the falling out with her best friend--former best friend--Laila). She's having a blast seeing all the exotic-to-her animals, although she's pretty nervous about all the dangerous fauna and maybe even flora Australia has. 

Alexis, a girl her age whose parents work at the wildlife sanctuary, helps her relax: they do need to take some precautions but so do people in the US who hike in bear country, and Kira isn't afraid to walk around at home, is she? While Alexis is nice and welcoming, Kira can't help but feel jealous that Alexis is living the life she wants to have and so close with her great-aunts. And it turns out that Alexis is a bit jealous when a joey koala bonds with Kira, when Alexis was slated to help raise the next orphaned one. Fortunately, they're able to mostly put aside their differences when they think they spot a paradise parrot, which is supposed to have gone extinct in 1927 (there have been unconfirmed sightings since). If only they had more time together!

But then Aunt Mamie collapses from what turns out to be a heart condition. Kira can't bring herself to visit her in the hospital; it reminds her too much of visiting her late father after his accident. As the doctors figure out the best treatment plan, Kira's mom decides they need to stay for the whole summer (well, summer break from school but winter in the southern hemisphere) to help out at the sanctuary. The tension is thick. Kira and Alexis start arguing over the joey again, and it's clear both feel they have more "claim" to Aunt Mamie than the other. And then Kira accidentally leaves a gate open, allowing some rehabilitating animals to escape. AND then Kira learns that the stray cat she's befriended is far more dangerous to the local wildlife than a stray cat back home (although those can wreak havoc on bird and small mammal populations)--cats aren't native to Australia and have driven species to the brink of or straight into extinction. Kira feels terrible for not knowing; this is the animal that's been hurting others in the area.

Alexis is furious with Kira, telling her off before going out in the night to look for the last animal that escaped (a young wombat). Kira tries to go after her and gets lost. She and Alexis find each other and make up, and are found by the adults shortly after. The wombat makes it back safely, too. 

 The book ends with high points and low points. Aunt Mamie is out of the hospital, but has to cut back on how much she does due to her new diagnosis. The koala joey is ready to be taken to a koala-specific rescue that has a mother koala who lost her own joey. Saying goodbye is hearbreaking for Kira, but she knows it's in the best interests of the koala. Kira catches the cat for transport to the RSPCA, allaying some of her guilt. She's made up with Alexis but not Laila, and is unsure she ever will. But she also has the rest of summer break in Australia ahead of her.


Misc

Dedicated to Caden, with gratitude to Alison Bee (doctor of veterinary medicine in Queensland, Australia), Tassin Barnard (of Walkabout Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia), and Amelia Lachal and Libby McEnriy (of Mattel Australia). There's a couple pages at the end about Dr. Bee and her daughter raising orphaned koalas.
 

Fifth grade is middle school for Kira's district. Interesting; I'm used to that being the last year of elementary.

Kira's dad died when she was seven.

Kira's great-aunts are married to each and Kira mentions that while they've always been her aunties, they only got married recently after a law changed that allowed the marriage. 

Curious. Kira wants to stay in Australia and suggests doing middle school online. Lots of families do it, she reasons, but her mom dismisses the idea as something their family doesn't do... Huh, and yet a couple pages later, Kira says a boy on the plane puts his mask back on after eating a snack, and mentions the novel coronavirus in passing... But there's no quarantine when they land in Australia... I wonder if a lot of this was written before the extent of the COVID19 pandemic was known and bits like that were inserted later on. Kira's from Michigan, which made a commitment to having at least some in-person learning options by March 1, 2021. The terrible bushfires of early 2020 are mentioned.

Kira mentions Tim Tams, an Australian chocolate cookies (you can find them in some US stores like Pier One). My mom had a couple friends who moved here from Australia, and once at a get-together one offered Tim Tams to the group. The other women just looked around awkwardly until the friend produce the package of cookies. For some reason, they thought she was offering them samples of an Australian brand of tampon.

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Kristy's Big Day

 Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The first season covers the first eight books plus a sort of adaptation of of the second super special, Baby-sitters Summer Vacation. AND...it's set in the present day (2019/2020), updated accordingly, and much more diverse. The plots are broadly the same as the original books, although here the wedding isn't rushed and was always going to at the Brewer house, so there's no big day camp. The focus instead is on how the Brewers and Thomases will blend together as a new family. Here are some things that I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:   

Rather than the Junk Bucket, Charlie has been saving up for a used car, but Watson supplements the money with enough to buy a BMW SUV (without first discussing it with Elizabeth...). Watson also buys Kristy a new bridesmaid dress, blue instead of yellow, when he sees that she's dissatisfied with the original choice. These spark some bad feelings between Kristy and her mom over money and the marriage in general, but they work things out.

Kristy gets her first period during the wedding reception. The other girls have already had their menarche and help her through it.

Andrew joins David Michael in being a ring bearer. And I just noticed that Karen doesn't wear glasses, but Andrew does.

Aunt Esme performs the ceremony. (Which begs the question...how did Karen not know "Morbidda Destiny" was going to be at the wedding? Was there no rehearsal, no meetings with the next-door neighbor, nothing?)

What I was happy stayed the same:

Kristy and Mary Anne have one last flashlight conversation through their facing windows before Kristy moves.

I like the subtle touch of Kristy and Karen having flower circlets for their hair.

Other interesting touches: 

Karen's middle name is Amaryllis. She also comments on David Michael Thomas having three first names.

Claudia appears to be learning about Japanese culture. She knows about sushi customs and wears a kimono-inspired dress to the wedding.

Sharon mentions having gone to a quinceanera for one of Dawn's cousins.

Mary Anne's dad is so nervous that he tells Mary Anne, "I need a drink. Do you want one? ...of course not..."

Richard takes charge when Sharon eats something she's allergic to (I think Sharon is too scatter-brained here--being late to a wedding is one thing, but loudly announcing your arrival as the bride is about to walk down the aisle?). Dawn was about to rush Sharon to the car for her epi-pen, but Richard steps in and lets Dawn be a kid.

Mary Anne, ever responsible, has emergency period supplies with her.