Dance of the Freaky Green Gold | Young Adult Fiction

John Coetzee

Dance of the freaky green gold is the Silver winner in the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature 2007.

This is what the judges had to say:

This is a gripping story that manages to explain some quite complex scientific facts in a very accessible manner. Global warming and the Kyoto Protocols are extremely topical. The scientific experiment is to turn algae into bio-fuels, and the details are intriguingly conveyed, with the photographs and diagrams contributing to the clarity.

The initial plot-impetus of a parental divorce and break-up of the home will impact on teen readers, as will the dislocation of moving to a new home and school. The element of the mysterious will intrigue, and the shading in of a love interest will be recognisable and familiar.

The opening chapter is excellent: we’re into the situation straight away, the tension between son and parent is palpable, the dilemma they are in is authentic. It is easy for the reader to believe completely in these people and in the relationship between Rick and his mother, as well as between Rick and his little sister.

In a situation of recognisable stress the character of Rick is brought face to face with some major dilemmas, and with issues that threaten the futures of both himself and his family, and those of his new friends Sipho and Inez.

While the author has clearly done solid research on the topic, he has managed to introduce science and the concept of global warming in a very readable manner.

The writer is congratulated on being a worthy recipient of the Silver Award.