1. Anxiety
2. Art techniques
3. Bravery
4. Courage
5. Emotions
6. Fear
7. Happiness
8. Self-confidence
9. Visual literacy

‘But it’s all up to you.’ This is an evocative allegory of a young girl gaining her confidence by ‘walking on the wire.’ In an exquisitely measured text by Lucy Estela and hauntingly ethereal illustrative paintings by Elise Hurst this book metaphorically explores the fear of failure, and of the unknown, which are common feelings expressed by young people. The pensive character depicted on the opening page and later in the book, in a stunning portrait of her fear, is a stark contrast to the images of her vibrant assurance at the end. One image depicts her, female warrior-like, crouching on the wire as if to pounce. The next is repeated on the cover and depicts her in triumph as she crosses the wire with the birds flying around her. She has her arms in the air as if they are wings, and as if she is literally flying, as well. The fact that her flowing skirt is coloured red is not incidental, given that colour’s multiple symbolic connotations. She shines in these images. She is free.

Elise Hurst’s work has been awarded in Australia and recognised internationally; she collaborated with Neil Gaiman on the illustrated version of his 2013 novel ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ published in 2019. Her recent work ‘The Storyteller’s Handbook’ (2022) is a visual feast. She has also exhibited widely.

This is Lucy Estela’s second book; her first was a collaboration with Matt Ottley on ‘Suri’s Wall’ (2018). Both books were shortlisted for the CBCA Awards. She is also a successful website and games developer for the youth entertainment market.’ Girl on Wire’ is a luminous piece of art with enormous emotional resonance: it will elicit strong emotive responses from young readers.

1. Lucy Estela website -Writing http://lucyestela.com/category/writing/
2. Elise Hurst website ‘Girl on Wire’ includes book trailer video https://elisehurst.com/collections/books/products/girl-on-wire
3. Copyright Agency Reading Australia 2021. Teaching notes by Kylie Chatto for ‘Girl on Wire’ by Lucy Estela and Elise Hurst https://readingaustralia.com.au/lesson/girl-on-wire/
4. Children’s Books Daily 3 April 2019. Review and Teaching Notes prepared by Melissa Kroeger for ‘Girl on Wire’ by Lucy Estela and Elise Hurst. https://childrensbooksdaily.com/book_reviews/review-teachers-notes-girl-on-wire/
5. Paperbarkwords Blog 6 May 2019 Joy Lawn reviews and provides activities for ‘Girl on Wire’ by Lucy Estela and Elise Hurst https://paperbarkwords.blog/2019/05/06/girl-on-wire-by-lucy-estela-elise-hurst/
6. Sydney Morning Herald 10 July 2015. Kath Dolan reports ‘Meet the maker: Elise Hurst recalls her moment of artistic liberation’ https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/meet-the-maker-elise-hurst-recalls-her-moment-of-artistic-liberation-20150704-gi4i0t.html