Longlisted for the 2019 CLIP Carnegie medal and on the Costa Children's Book Award shortlist for 2018, this fast-paced book has been attracting a lot of attention. Set in 1899 in the rural, mountainous region of the Philippines (at the start of the war with America), it follows the story of Samkad, a boy in the Bontok tribe, who is desperate to show his father, a respected warrior, that he is ready to become a man. Samkad's desire to prove himself becomes entangled with the threats the village face at first to their safety from their sworn enemies, the head-hunting Mangili tribe, but then from the potentially even more deadly invasion by strange pale-skinned American visitors who threaten their culture as well as their lives.

The story follows Samkad's adventures as he tries to save his village and accept and fulfil his tribal responsibilities. It also relates the challenges and experiences of Luki, his best friend, who is much less keen to become an adult because, as a girl, she is forbidden from becoming a warrior and is destined, instead, for a life of domestic duties which will separate her from Samkad and make sustaining their friendship impossible. Together and individually, they confront prejudice, violence and the increasingly dangerous unknown as they eventually learn what it means to be true to yourself and that becoming a respected adult demands more than participation in secret traditional ceremonies.

Bone Talk is beautifully written and exciting but also challenging to read. Despite being advertised for upper-KS2 (and KS3) readers, you may find some of the events and the descriptive details shocking. Alongside the dramatic story, you are forced to think about what 'savagery' and 'civilisation' really mean. However, it is also easy to identify with the two main characters and find yourself drawn quickly into their adventures so that you really do want to read on to find out what happens to them and their tribe.

I was attracted to this book by its amazing cover design and by the unusual subject. I did not know much about the American war in the Philippines and its effects and had not previously read anything by Candy Gourlay. Reading the book made me want to know more about both.