by Susan Barnes | 24 Jul 2023 | Book Reviews
Three months after his father’s death, Jack is still very angry. Everything in his life reminds him of his Dad which triggers his anger. Jack craves the unfamiliar and begins skipping school. He spends time with a gang of delinquents who are vandals and minor thieves....
by Susan Barnes | 26 May 2023 | Book Reviews
Where the river takes us is the story of four friends who go on a camping trip to find a big cat who is supposedly living in the nearby mountains. A reward of £100 is being offered for a clear photo. For Jason, it’s the opportunity he’s been looking for to help his...
by Susan Barnes | 22 Jul 2022 | Book Reviews
When I picked up, Resilient Grieving : how to find your way through devastating loss by Lucy Hone, at a book stall, I didn’t realise it was about the death of the author’s 12-year-old daughter, Abi. I don’t assume grieving means bereavement. People can suffer...
by Susan Barnes | 17 Feb 2022 | Book Reviews
The Cave is part of the Quick Reads series. Through the story, Kate Mosse shows us the importance of finding closure when dealing with grief and loss. Frederick Smith lost his brother in the first World War, but his body was never found and there was no funeral or...
by Susan Barnes | 15 Feb 2022 | Poetry
I didn’t know you well but you were one of us. You belong right here. I saw you in the paper shop, Sometimes in the supermarket, Once, I spied you by the swamp. Smiling as you ate at our local And lunched with loyal friends with lattes from the van. You were there...
by Susan Barnes | 11 Jan 2022 | Poetry
In my mind’s eye I see your nod, your sigh I see the way you walked I hear the way you talked I catch myself listening For your footsteps. I recall that you laughed At a joke I shared I knew you frowned At an opinion I aired I remember your tears, Your joys,...
by Susan Barnes | 18 Nov 2021 | Book Reviews
The Protected is the story of Hannah McCann who is in year 10 at a Catholic High School in Sydney. A year ago, her older sister, Katie, died in a car accident and her father was seriously injured. Since then, her mother has become seriously depressed. Hannah was also...
by Susan Barnes | 16 Nov 2021 | Women in the Bible
Recently I wrote this article for Christian Today. My family immigrated from England to Australia when I was young. My mother never expected to return to England so she took my brother and me to visit historical sites around London before we left. We went to...
