Everyone at school thinks Ruby is a nerd. While other teenagers are texting each other, Ruby has her nose in a stuffy, old poetry book. Go figure! But when Ruby starts to have conversations with her cat, people begin to worry. Their worry changes to wonder when Ruby, through some mysterious magic, says she can save her family's farm from being ruined by the mining company. Nerdy has turned into awesome! But then to everyone's amazement, Ruby announces on TV that she is now going to save the whole Shire from ruin! Her cat has told her what she must do. Now she is totally cool. Even the school bully wants to be like her. And the adults notice something very different about her. What secret does she know? And what's it got to do with her cat? And what did she find in the old poetry book? And why are her farm animals behaving strangely?
About the Author :
Jon wrote his first novella at the age of 12. At age 15 he won the local short story competition in his home town. He studied Arts/Law at Monash University, with honours in history. He is the author of 6 non-fiction books. The Field of Hum is his first published novel, and his first work for younger readers. He lives on a little farm with his wife and daughter, and animals, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
Review :
Robyn Nevin AM, actor:
...a subject close to our hearts... profound and beautiful. A signifcant achievement in spreading understanding to children of Australia and beyond of the consequence of our land being degraded...
'...after digesting and delighting in this little book, I discovered that it's not just a book for kids, it's a book for me. It's the book I need to remind me that there is more to life than rushing around and getting through my pile of stuff. The simplicity is what works. OK, yes, I was originally reading it thinking only "This will be a great book to read with my grand-daughter Poppy" even though the cover says for ages 10+. Poppy's a grown up seven years old now. So we have been reading it when she has a sleep over. She likes to talk about how Ruby is different from the other girls in her class. Together we appreciate the meditation lessons and the environmental message disguised as a gentle animal story. Each time we go back and read it, Poppy will be a little older and appreciate a little more.
We both love the gorgeous drawings and the guinea pig with the carrot walking stick is our favourite. We laugh about the rhymes and poems and make some great silly sheep noises "It's marvellous, it's marvellous." But it's the magic element to the book that is the most endearing and like any switched on kid, Poppy is now reminding me "Nana, remember in the book about sitting quietly under the tree ... let's go do that...' - Linlee Jordan, Director, Harbord Homeopathic Clinic
Madeline Oliver, author, from DarkandStormyNight.com.au:
A gentle animal story, reminiscent of Dick King-Smith or EB White. Humorous farm animals, the menace of mining in a rural community and the struggles of a young girl who's different from her classmates are woven together with the quiet pleasures of poetry and meditation to create a story that will appeal.... Charmingly illustrated in a quality edition.
Tony Ameneiro, artist:
...The illustrations are well suited to the story and drawn with a sensitive line
I was gripped from the beginning 'The Field of Hum' intrigued me I wanted to know more about the blue object Ruby carried as she alighted the school bus that day. The blue object is at the centre of the mysteries which unfold as one turns the pages.
I found the animal characteristics very interesting and all so individual accept of course for the sheep. The author has a way of playing with words and uses words of an ambiguous nature to identify the absurdity of what is happening throughout the world today.
The book is very cleverly written the younger readers will enjoy the story through their childhood imaginations and I feel the more mature reader will have the wisdom to associate with the many wise words written in this book.
This book was in the category of 'I don't want this book to finish'. Hopefully there will be a sequel to 'The Field of Hum'. ... Ilma Hynson
