Two Hands Together
Diana Kidd

Penguin 2000
160pp. pbk., $14.95

014130748X

Lili and Ellas relationship started when Jake kicked a football over the fence in to Ellas place and he climbed over to get it. Then, one evening when Lili was writing ghost stories on her balcony, Ella climbed over the fence and in to Lilis dads garden to ask if she wanted to see her new puppy. So Lili and Jake went over and they all became good friends, until Lilis dad wont let them all be together, because he doesnt like Aborigines. Lili feels as though she hates her father for this.

Later on in the story, the puppy falls in to a creek in the park and Jake comes to the rescue. However, after he climbs in to get the puppy, a tree traps his foot and he cant get out. Ella discover them, and goes to get help from her uncle. He rescues both Jake and the puppy to safety. In the end, because Ellas uncle rescued Jake, Lilis father realises he has made a big mistake in disliking the other family, just because they are Aboriginal. He and his wife make friends with Ellas family and the two girls can be together again.