Sun 5 Oct 2025, 12pm - Start Art Book Club
Uncle Xbox by Jared Thomas
A well-paced and authentic book that follows the ups and downs of 12-year-old Dusty who is dealing with poverty, racism, changing family circumstances and understanding of himself and others. When Dusty’s stepdad moves out and takes the Xbox, he misses it a lot! He gets on with things, earning pocket money from odd jobs to buy his own Xbox.
But he has some great revelations — surfing in real life is better than playing with the Xbox, and some of the traditional storytellers may have been just as magnetic as any Xbox. The dialogue is interspersed with Aboriginal English and combines with seamlessly portrayed cultural and cross-cultural experiences, adding to the context and plot. Dusty learns what is important in life and his connection to culture and Country. An excellent depiction of family life and love lifted by the humour which comes from deep characterisation.
Reading Level: Ages 6-9