2001 – Jack and his mate Eddie are setting out on an adventure. After Jack’s dad dropped them and their kayaks off at a river at Stanley Landing, (Sth of Auckland), they reassure him they’ll be fine and begin to paddle.

It’s only minutes before their first mishap, but they sort it out and continue down the river. It’s not smooth sailing (paddling), but with each challenge they encounter, they work together at overcoming it and keep going. Sleeping in barns, on beaches and in their tent along their journey, they take note of markers along the way, stop for fish & chips in small towns and talk as they paddle.

The folk they meet during their journey give advice on the local area, on where to camp, and how the river runs with the tides, but these two friends mostly work it out as they go.

1935 – Jack’s grandfather Sandy is about to embark on his own adventures as an engineer on ships from his home in Scotland – to Liverpool to Africa and back again. He sees the Panama Canal, Australia and New Zealand. But the experience that stuck with him most of all was being in the Royal Navy and part of Operation Substance – getting supplies to Malta during the war.

1935 – Jack’s grandmother Mary is staying with her aunt in Germany when things go wrong. After Mary returns to England, her parents try to get her aunt to follow. Mary joins the war effort, learning Morse Code and more, working behind the scenes. She soon understands what happened to her aunt, and what is also happening around her as she listens to her radio bulletins and messages.

After the war she decides to leave it all behind, and travel as far as possible from the memories. She speaks to a man on board who seems to be doing the same thing.

Jack jnr and Eddie are nearly in Auckland. Jack has a plan in mind to find a long lost relative. Jack’s father doesn’t know of his plan, and would probably have stopped him if he did. Regardless, Jack won’t take no for an answer – even from the relative who doesn’t want to be found.

This hybrid novel of part text, part illustration, part graphic novel, and part non-fiction, is also based on the author’s own father’s life in World War Two. In particular, Robert Kerr (Snr) onboard the Sydney Star as the third engineer, was part of Operation Substance. This was made up of six merchant ships taking supplies to the people of Malta who had found themselves suddenly attacked by Benito Mussolini’s forces.

With actual photos of the time, the story is instantly grounded in truth, but it was the narrative about a teenage boy searching for a missing grandfather that captivated me most, and ultimately pulled at my heartstrings.

The combination of photos, illustrations, and comic sections will keep any reluctant reader on the page, and they are bound to be captured by at least one of the stories across three generations.

I have had a (much smaller) kayaking adventure like Jack jnr and Eddie, and could relate to an ever changing river.

With themes of male relationships, parental presumptions, grief, PTSD and a family mystery, Jack & Sandy will be great for the classroom, war story fans, and anyone who enjoys intergenerational tales. I absolutely loved the ending.

Author / Illustrator – Bob Kerr

Age – 11+

Read more from the author himself about this great kiwi hybrid novel here

(2023, Bateman Books, New Zealand, NZ, Historical, Family, Friendship, Grief, War, Adventure, Malta, Operation Substance, Intergenerational, Secret, Vanish, PTSD, Hybrid novel, Aotearoa, Graphic Novel, Secrets)