Matilda (Tilly) is the other sister. Her elder sister Beatty was the 1st telegram girl in their town during WWI and celebrated for it. Tilly loves her big sister but wants to make her own mark – not to be introduced as Beatty’s little sister, or the other sister.

At 14 Tilly still feels so young compared to 17 yr old Beatty who is training to be a teacher. Tilly doesn’t know what she wants to be. Girls all used to just dream of marriage and a family of their own, but now it is 1920. Women have shown the world what they can do during the war. Factory and farm work, or even driving ambulances at the front. Violet Walrond is even representing NZ in swimming at the Olympics.

A well earned academic scholarship gives Tilly further access to education at the local Girls High School where she makes two good friends. They too are strong-minded girls wondering what the future holds for them.

Volunteer work at the local convalescence home for soldiers, giving company to the mayor’s wife who has never been the same since the loss of their son in the war, and also helping a heavily pregnant woman in her home, all give Tilly different views on other lives, in turn moulding her own. All who know Tilly are proud of her already, no matter what she chooses to do after high school.

A sequel to The Telegram, The Other Sister can also be read on its own. It takes the reader back to NZ in 1920 and the end of the First World War.

Some homes are grateful and relieved to have their menfolk back from WWI, but many, many others are still reeling with the loss of theirs. It’s a time where women begin to stretch their traditional boundaries at home too, and dream of more exciting futures. Prejudice, small mindedness, and gossip is still a strong currency among women however, no matter the consequences.

Real events are woven into this story with the national excitement of the The Prince of Wales travelling through NZ, then Armistice Day, Trafalgar Day and a sombre unveiling of a Memorial to men lost and men who fought. These unveilings would’ve occurred up and down the country.

In the rear of the book is more information about the migrants to New Zealand, photos of that time and Prince of Wales’ visit, and about people and places mentioned throughout the narrative.

Philippa Werry’s research, writing and historical prowess has once again captured a piece of New Zealand for young readers to experience for themselves.

Author – Phillipa Werry

Age – 11+

(2021, Pipi Press, Historical, NZ, New Zealand, Family, Courage, Kindness, School, Soldiers, Shell shock, Hospital, WWI, Loss, Grief, Volunteer work, Growing up, Traditions, Expectations, Returned Serviceman, Injured, Self Confidence, Predjudice, Racism)