AustLit

'A variation on a theme – a plane aloft and a lone occupant who does not know how to fly – has an Australian setting, a four way communication set-up, and constant climax build-up. An accident causes Dick Garnett to kick the throttle of his Piper Tri-pacer and his fiancee, Janet, who hates flying, finds herself airborne, alone. Dick organizes the flying doctor base and Dave Jordan, who finally gets into touch by radio with Janet, calms her into learning the instrument panel, and makes arrangements for the flying field to stand by (she cannot land on the sheep station strip because floods will not permit an ambulance to get through). Janet, ready to break her engagement to Dick, will only listen to his brother but her fumblings bring Dick back to drive her into cooperation so that he can "talk her down". How he gets her to repeat flying manoeuvers until she is ready to head for the distant field, keeps her on course while maintaining the all-out radio contact, and waits for word of her landing...adds up to an aerial melodrama that does not let go.'

Source: Kirkus Reviews (https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barbara-jefferis-4/solo-for-several-players/).

'A by-passed boy and a lost Siamese cat are at the center of this story about subsistence farm living and a rigid rule against pets – not only for Tim, 7, but for his older and younger brothers. When Chichiboo Lady Precious Gem escapes from her picnicking owners, she is found by Tim, is threatened with death by his father, and rescued by Tim, is hidden away to become an adored secret always in danger with his daring thefts to feed her and his fear-ridden nights of exercising her. He has to share her with his older brother after he has watched her kittens born; he has to be more careful when his mother has her fourth child; and he has to face his father's wrath when the hide-out and his beloved cat are found. But, getting in touch with the owners, there is some reward for all his care even if Tim is ungracious to their offer of money or one of the litter and, in hiding the kitten with the crooked tail, he has a new dependent to care for. A boy, numb with love for this elegant visitor to a harsh, rough and tumble farm life, who is quiet, groping, is a persuasive small fry, matching an instinctive wisdom against elder rulings, and the cat will call out that Siamese fancier audience.'

Source: Kirkus Review (https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barbara-jefferis-3/half-angel/). (Sighted: 18/11/2013)