Carl was afraid to breathe. The weight of the bird and its piercing gaze was enough to freeze him there forever. ‘Now, Carl. Set it free.’ When Carl’s mum abandons him, his brother and sister, he isn’t too worried. Mum has gone off before, but she always comes back. But time goes past, and Mum doesn’t return. Then Carls’ sister decides she needs a break – and sends Carl and his brother Harley away. Deep down, Carl knows his sister isn’t coming back, either. Now Harley is all that Carl has got – and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep him. Even when it means dropping out of school and looking for work. A low paying job on the barge to Wiseman’s Cove doesn’t seem much, but soon that barge is almost as important to Carl as Harley is. First published in 1996, and winner of the CBCA Book of the Year, A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove is a wonderfully moving tale of an unlikely hero. Carl is a self-confessed big boy, who isn’t particularly strong, or particularly clever. He struggles to connect with people, yet in the course of this story manages to make some unlikely connections which will change his life. It is wonderful to see this back in print. 
A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove, by James Moloney
UQP 1996, 2007 This book can be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.
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