Brenda's Reviews > Silver Linings

Six year old Lynette Sweeney (Nettie) loved her sisters and dad, her doll, Fancy Nancy, cat Mittens; she wasn't too fond of Aunty Edith though, as she made her eat her peas. Her longing for a mother was fulfilled when their dad married Alice and love, hugs and cuddles filled the house. Going to school each day, Nettie would either catch the bus or ride Beauty, their horse. She'd meet her friend Robyn and they'd have lots of fun at school. When baby Billy arrived to join the Sweeney family, their lives couldn't be better.

When tragedy struck the Sweeney family, sadness was the constant. Gone were the hugs and cuddles and Nettie spent her days trying to think of ways to make things better. When Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Lismore, all the school children were there - excitement prevailed and singing was a constant. When the flooding hit from the Cyclone up in Queensland, Nettie wondered why everything kept getting worse...

Silver Linings by Aussie author Katrina Nannestad is a lovely story set in 1950s Australia. Historically significant, heartbreaking and fun, Silver Linings is filled with family, friends and love. And Nettie - although only six - was kindness herself, always trying to help others. Recommended.