On Becoming Georgie

On Georgie is a book full of relationship. It opens our eyes to the complexity of teenage life with all the issues they face within their own world and even outside. How even a supposed ‘safe” community is affected by undercurrent of antisocial behaviour. This is something that even parents and carers need to be aware of in the lives of their teenagers. To allow teenagers to explore their environment and yet still be confident to touch base with them as they navigate their experiences.

Georgie should be admired for her openness to all her peers, the awareness that they do have different experiences of their own and bring these with them to the relationship. Georgie shows empathy in her approach to dealing with them moving forward.

It is a great read for YA and would be a valuable resource in all schools, primary and secondary, alternate and tertiary (future educators).

On Becoming Georgie was not my normal genre of reading material. Having said that I found the book a refreshing change. I felt the writer showed great understanding and empathy with the characters and highlighted the many challenging issues facing young people today. Certainly thought provoking and open to group discussion.

The issues of immigration, questionable multiculturalism, fitting in, peer pressure, crime links to financial gain, expectation of parents, friendships/illness/death and aging, fossil fuels, recycling and climate differences of opinion, sexual identity and +/- tolerance were all covered at some time woven into character profiles in a believable way. Georgie at times seemed too “wise” but then children who have faced ill health, prolonged hospitalisation and their own mortality, can be wise beyond their years. Like a jigsaw puzzle all of the pieces, especially individual behaviours fitted into place with understanding and a contented ending. This time of life- early teens- is becoming more troublesome as the traditional family unit and cultural units expectations change in the years this book was written. Many topics were aired, even if the reader agrees or not, it is a great thing to open the discussion door - especially in classrooms!

On Becoming Georgie gives us an insight into the difficult and different choices a teenager has to make in order to fit in the sometimes frightening world, whilst dealing with illness, bullying, discrimination, drugs around him or her.
Having a background in the judiciary I recognised particularly the difficulty of sorting out what seem to be facts and jumping to conclusions based on wrong assumptions. Also the book shows, and Georgie finds out that behind attitudes - such as what seems to be selfishness, bravery and pride - there is self doubt, anxiety and sadness.
The book, though probably meant to be read by mostly young adults, can be enjoyed by many like myself, a grandmother of five. Very recommendable.

On Becoming Georgie is a novel that touches on many contemporary issues that are part of Australian life. The central character, Georgie, “nearly 15 “, has the maturity that evades many of her peers, due to a large extent, to her long periods of ill health. The attendant patience and wisdom that is associated with hospital visits and relationships forged in ICU , are well described and Fry demonstrates her knowledge of and compassion for those whose health is precarious.
Because of Georgie’s extended absences she feels an outsider in many situations and is placed in a class with other outsiders, such as Albert and Bodhan. With these 2 characters Fry is able to introduce issues of indigenous and refugee students . The text is very current as Bodhan has fled the Ukraine . There is scope for much discussion using this novel . Personal issues affecting identity and parent / teenage relationships could be explored as could be global issues, climate change, racism, gay rights, as well as the insidious creep of drugs into all aspects of society. The text becomes a gripping crime novel in the final section but its greatest strength for a world weary, cynical teenage reader is that it is ultimately a very positive tale that celebrates humanity and extols the importance of resilience .