Reviews
Rite
way to help boys feel good
BY
MARIA GALINOVIC
25
Jun, 2010 12:00 AM
KINGS Cross
biker gangs are having a turf war and decamp to La Perouse to fight it out in
the relative privacy of Botany Bay.
But, the storyline
goes, local kids including our hero Scott Morrow witness the violence and a
"situation'' develops.
A Rite of Passage is
the third book in the Scott Morrow trilogy by Banksia author Christopher J.
Holcroft.
Holcroft asks age-old
questions about heroism and how it emerges.
Teenage boys are asked
if they would stand up and be counted when the chips are down and lives are on
the line.
Holcroft, father of
three adult sons, a former journalist, an Army reservist, and a long-time
Venturer and Scout, understands boys and is perhaps sorry for them.
"We don't praise male
teenagers enough,'' he said.
"We are quick to say
how terrible they are, when we need to tell them they can be role models.''
Passionate about
outdoor adventures as promoted by Scouts and Guides, Holcroft started writing
the books because ``nothing was available about Australian Scouts doing
Australian things''.
The first, Only the
Brave Dare, was published in 2008, the Year of the Scout, introducing Scott
Morrow.
Holcroft stresses that
the books, aimed at boys aged 11-18, encourages them to read more, become
positive and to feel good.
"Boys will stand up
and be counted if they feel confident that they have the right training, and
that they are supported by adults,'' he said.
The book will be
launched at 7pm on Wednesday, June 30, at St Francis Xavier Church hall,
Arncliffe.
http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/boost-for-teens/1868875.aspx ______________________________ A Rite Of Passage
Review by Jordan Aitken
1st Engadine Venturer Unit
A Rite of Passage details the latest exploits of Venturer Scott
Morrow and his unit, his latest endeavour; learning to dive. Scott is already
famous for his escapades with the Russian Mafia after they captured his unit,
and furthermore from his daring and brave rescue of a fellow Venturer and then a
Rover during a canyoning accident.
A Rite of Passage is aimed at teenage boys to encourage
them to read and experience more of life by getting outdoors and living the
adventure. It should surely achieve this, because it is easy and pleasant to
read and provides a simple to understand, yet highly insightful look into
perspectives we wouldn’t usually see which could only be formulated by someone
with great experience and knowledge.
We are allowed to see into the lives of gang members, which we
are not usually exposed to through the media – we get to contrast our existing
perceptions, challenging us to think more broadly about what we really know
about people who are so often stereotypically portrayed. We gain a better
understanding of what goes on behind the badges in the investigations of police
A Rite of Passage promotes Venturing and Guiding movements
in an accurate and positive light (although potential members shouldn’t expect
to help fight the Mafia or dispel bike gang wars) by highlighting the different
opportunities available through the movements. Not only outdoors activities like
scuba diving, but social activities like the formal McDonald’s which appeal to
the target audience as growing, socialising people are featured, exploring the
dynamic of the movement and the variety of experiences to be had. The novel also
touches on the various formalities within the movements, adding to the accuracy
of their representation.
A Rite of Passage touches on issues common to the targeted
responder: balance of study and leisure (which Scott is forced to deal with),
friendly and romantic relationships (such as those between Scott and his unit,
and then that which develops between some of the Unit and the Guides) and
growing up (taking on adult actions and responsibilities like leadership and
bravery, and acting out of consciousness for others) and through the central
character, Scott, we are shown that life can be hard, but manageable and there
is no limit to what we can do if we set our minds to it.
Existing members of the Venturing and Guiding movement will enjoy
examining this perspective on a part of their lives, Scouts and Guides can look
to it as a taste of what they can (within reason) experience in the older
sections and outsiders of the movement can see it as a written reason to look up
their local group.
Most outstandingly however is the notion that ordinary
individuals can, when placed in a situation that demands it, do extraordinary
things. We, as responders, may not ever experience the crossfire of warring
gangs, but we can, as average, everyday people, embark on our own extraordinary
adventures by getting out into the world, challenging ourselves and trying
something new – we place ourselves in the situation to achieve. It is within all
our capabilities to try something new and it is through Scott Morrow that we can
realise that.
Review Blog 25 May 2009 Poseidon Books, 2008
(
www.poseidonbooks.com
) Such is the tone of this novel.
http://www.readplus.com.au/blog_detail.php?id=551
_____________________________________________________
The writing was on the wall BY JIM GAINSFORD 11/12/2008 4:25:00 PM BANKSIA author
Christopher Holcroft did not want to keep his loyal readers
hanging in mid-air.
Seven
months after publishing Only The Brave Dare, his first adventure
novel for young adult readers, he has finished a second book,
Canyon.
Part
one of the series told the story of a Venturer Scouts unit, led
by the unassuming hero Scott Morrow, which encounters the
Russian Mafia while diving in a submarine wreck.
In the
second book, Scott Morrow and the Venturer Scouts have an
abseiling accident while on a canyoning trip in the Blue
Mountains. Morrow must hold together the unit members while army
commandos and Rover Scouts race to save them.
Mr
Holcroft describes his series as "pure escapism'' and draws on
his experience as a lieutenant-colonel in the Army Reserve,
serving in the Middle East, Timor and Papua New Guinea, and 30
years heading Venturer Scouts units.
He
hopes the page-turning yarn will encourage those aged 17-26 to
undertake emergency training with the SES.
"The
message is that it does not take a hero but it takes training to
be aware of the dangers of the wild, and how to overcome them,''
he said.
The
third part of the series will be available next year.
Details:
www.poseidonbooks.com
St George and Sutherland Shire
Leader
_____________________________________________________
When the Brave Dare to Canyon
New South Wales, Australia
CANYON by Christopher J Holcroft, is the second instalment in a series
that follows the adventures of Scott Morrow and his Venturer
Unit. The novel tells the story of a canyoning trip that places
the Venturer Unit against the elements and forces them to make a
life and death decision.
The book begins with the characters practicing
their abseiling skills, as they learn to trust each other, in a
controlled environment before they have to put these skills into
practice in the most extreme weather conditions.
With meticulous detail the author impeccably
describes the scene, painting a picture in the reader’s mind.
As the story builds in intensity the author switches between
characters at different locations keeping the reader’s intrigue.
The book shows the important connections between
the different sections of the scouting family, particularly the
bond between Venturers and Rovers.
Like
Only the Brave Dare, the book is
targeted towards teenage readers with a passion for adventure.
Throughout the adventures of the Venturer Unit
the author highlights the importance of team work.
The novel is a suspenseful and entertaining read
that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
CANYON
is an adrenaline filled story that will be
thoroughly enjoyed by all teenagers.
CANYON
is available through Poseidon Books at www.poseidonbooks.com/
_____________________________________________________
CANYON
by Christopher Holcroft
Poseidon
Books, Burleigh, Qld. 2008
ISBN 978 1921406768
(Ages 12+) Told by an expert in the field of real life adventuring,
orienteering, outdoor education and Venturer Scouts, this story proves
the worth of team work in times of trouble, the importance of training
and organisational skills, and the national significance of rescue
management.
A canyoning trip leads to near disaster but, because of the timely
formation of a Rover volunteer network, an amazing rescue effort saves
young Scott, who was initially instrumental in forming the groups, and
his injured friend.
Though the story lacks the imaginative interest of fictional adventures,
this true to life account will appeal to the young reader who prefers
'real' stories. Well researched and authoritative, Canyon, for
its instructional nature, reads well, providing a good text for outdoor
education groups and the like, and applauding the efforts of all
Emergency Rescue Services. Mike, the Venturer leader, in instructing the
young volunteers says, 'My aim is to ensure you can enjoy the challenges
of the activity you choose to do and that if anything happens to you,
you are self-reliant enough to get out of most problems or, you can get
your mate out'. (p. 7)
BOOK REVIEW BY MICHAEL LEE, 18 of Hurstville,
Only The Brave Dare, by Christopher Holcroft, is a novel about Venturers on a camping trip who cross paths with the Russian Mafia.
The book begins with a Queens Scout presentation and then introduces the main character.
The world of Scouting and Venturing is described as the novel incorporates an emotional touch to the characters' interactions.
The novel switches between different characters in different locations with different roles in a fashion that is simple to understand.
Although there is the occasional violence, the author's description is acceptable for teenage readers.
Only
The Brave Dare
portrays the Scouts as an organised,
independent unit with some of their feats and routines
seeming almost unbelievable.
However, their feats and routines are plausible with the Venturers' training and experience.
With the novel being set for a younger age, and using younger characters as the main role players, Only The Brave Dare is a gripping read for any teenager.
Although the novel has several corny pages at the start, overall, it is a suspenseful and entertaining read.
The novel is definitely a decent, educational experience for any teenager.
Venturer Christopher Gantert
Phtoto by Carlos Furtado
http://stgeorge.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/dare-to-be-brave/365738.aspx
Poseidon Books, 2008 ( www.poseidonbooks.com )
(Age 12+) Described by the author as a modern Biggles,
Only
the brave dare is the story of a group of Venturers who
uncover a drug deal by the Russian Mafia while exploring a
wrecked submarine. Taken captive by the gang, it is up to Scott,
an unassuming Venturer, to find a way to save his mates.
The action switches from the Venturers to the Russian Mafia in
alternate chapters or sections, helping to identify the
characters and what is happening. A more sophisticated reader
may find the italics for different speakers distracting and the
conversation rather heavy handed.
A fast paced adventure story, this will appeal to boys who are
in the Scouting movement and the descriptions of the advantages
of being a Venturer would perhaps encourage young boys to join
the group.
Pat Pledger