Thunderhead

By Sophie Beer 

Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray

Sophie Beer is best known as a picture book writer and illustrator. Her vibrant art style is instantly recognisable and has successfully found its way beyond her books to a décor collection and promotional posters for other causes and creators. Thunderhead is her first novel and she’s been transparent online about the fear, anxiety and plain old logistical frustrations that come with stepping out of her comfort zone to take on this new creative challenge. Luckily the book is great, and it feels like Beer has productively channelled those big feelings through to her protagonist, who is similarly tackling new things.

The author and the character (Thunderhead) have two other big things in common; a great love of music, and lived experience with an acoustic neuroma, a non-cancerous tumour in the auditory system. Thunderhead, in fact, has two tumours, one of which is soon to be surgically removed, both of which have to be monitored with MRIs, a parade of specialists, and waiting for Very Important Letters. The tumours cause dizziness, earaches and ‘being unco’, but their removal will cause significant hearing loss. And so, music-obsessed Thunderhead, for whom every life event is fodder for a mixtape, and who longs for a career as a music journalist, is preparing themselves to lose the love of their life.

Throw into the mix that other most influential of factors for teen life – friendship. Thunderhead’s best (and only worthwhile) friend, Moonflower, is moving to a different school as they enter Year 8. They’ll still see each other socially, but Thunderhead must find new people to hang out with, whilst trying to keep their medical issues secret, lest they be forever known as the PWSK (Poor Widdle Sick Kid). NOTHANKYOUVERYMUCH, says Thunderhead. The novel explores the desirable tropes of great middle grade fiction – making friends, trying to keep up with the cool kids, learning how to confidently be yourself, managing parental intrusion – whilst highlighting the additional challenges faced by kids with disabilities or long-term medical conditions. All of this is written with warmth, inclusion, humour and frankness; our heart goes out to Thunderhead, but never in pity.

And why ‘Thunderhead’? Without spoilers, this is the protagonist’s online pseudonym. An epistolary novel, perfectly pitched for online generations, the book is actually a series of updates on a web forum, where Thunderhead can vent into the void whilst practicing for their future role as a music influencer. We do not discover their true name, age or gender until the very end, which feels poignant as a moment of self-actualization for the character.

And music itself is a character in the book. Every chapter begins with a playlist – Playlist for Luck, Playlist for New Friends, Playlist for Staring Big, Awful, Scary Things Right in the Eyes. Beer cleverly establishes Thunderhead’s long term love of music via intergenerational influences to ensure the lists don’t date the book, with everything from Nina Simone, to Taylor Swift, to mxmtoon. The whole list is available on Spotify via a QR code in the back of the book, too, extending the reader’s connection with the characters. Thunderhead’s actual all-time favourite band is, however, the fictional Bin Night, whose hits include “Fluorescent Lights at Woolworths” and “Stuck on the Caboolture Line” – an extra layer of resonance for South East Queensland readers, where the book is set.

Overall, this is a fast paced and engaging middle grade read, packed with quirky illustrations and playful layout elements. It champions disability and inclusion via a smart, sassy but vulnerable protagonist,  with tender connections to family, and tumultuous connections to friends. It also honours the all-encompassing, heartfelt devotion to music and musicians that is such a very special part of the tweens and teens. It concludes with some wordless illustrated pages, author notes and support links, inviting further discussion. Highly recommended as a book group or whole class read along.

 Allen & Unwin, October 2024

Sophie Beer 

Lara Cain Gray is the author of the recently published The Grown-Ups Guide to Picture Books.