True South

By Gisela Ervin-Ward

Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray

True South is the debut novel for experienced education writer Gisela Ervin-Ward. It includes all the desirable key ingredients of a gripping middle-grade mystery, such as buried treasure, family secrets, and compromised friendships. Set in Central Victoria, it also offers commentary around the particular intergenerational pressures of families growing up together in regional towns.

Twelve-year-old Nell, a passionate sailor, crashes her boat into a submerged house while out on the local lake. The discovery of this curious remnant of a bygone time launches her into a treasure hunt that unearths a generations-old feud between her family, the Souths, and the neighbouring Wilsons.

At the same time, Nell is torn between her parents’ plans to send her to the elite St. Helen’s boarding school and her desire to stay at the local school with her best friend Gemma. But Gemma is struggling too, with the impending loss of her friend. This puts a strain on the friendship, particularly when circumstances find Nell unexpectedly teaming up with Charlie Wilson, her supposed rival, to uncover the truth behind the sunken house.

Like all the best stories for the 9+ reader, this is a pacey adventure with relationships at its core. The water is wonderfully symbolic, and very much a character in of itself, as it hides and reveals secrets, while helping the young heroes navigate their places in their family stories and friendship circle. Ervin-Ward’s storytelling is compelling and deftly balances the narrative, the messages and the metaphors.

This will suit readers at the younger end of middle grade who enjoy character-driven stories with a twist. The author’s website also includes Teacher Notes linking it specifically to the Australian Curriculum for Geography content.

A special moment for this librarian-reviewer came from the girls using Trove for newspaper research as they collaborated on their local history sleuthing. Hopefully this will pique the interest of readers to conduct similar enquiries.

MidnightSun Publishing 2025

Gisela Ervin-Ward