JEDRO’S BANE

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Jedro’s Bane is an exceptional, surprisingly little known novel ... it skilfully interweaves the stories of three communities, separated by time ... Through Jedro and Koot’s stories, Slingsby creates a space from which some of the most marginalised SA communities can speak. The narrative is gripping throughout and should outrival the attractions of many a Playstation game.
Fiona Moolla, Cape Times

On one level, it is a thrilling adventure story ... on another level, the book broadens our understanding of our present and our past. There is depth to this story, and the kind of gentle imbedded lessons that young readers will take a great deal of pleasure in finding for themselves ... This book, I am pleased to say, was written by someone who is both a reader and a writer.
Darrel Bristow-Bovey, Commendation, Sanlam Youth Literature Awards, 2002

‘Jedro’s Bane’ ... one of the strongest and most perceptive pieces of writing about young people I have read for many a year ... 
Jay Heale, Fine Music Radio 

Narrated in a direct and engaging style, the tale of Koot’s rebellion immediately captivates the audience ... children (12+) will reluctantly surface from an enthralling read that also offers insight into the life of black people in South Africa a century ago, their ancient culture, and the power of storytelling. 
SPECIAL MENTION Review published in “The White Ravens” list from the International Youth Library, Munich 

I was engrossed from the moment I started reading ... I thought ‘The Joining’ showed that you were one of the best children’s writers in SA – and this confirms it!
Theresa Haslam, School librarian 

‘Jedro’s Bane’ is not quite the historic piece about the life of the Khoi that it first appears to be. It is about the changing of the world, the passing of old customs and the fight against oppression. The characters are well-written and the narrative flows smoothly ... an exciting read. 
Judith Oettle, The Herald 

Slingsby deals very sensitively with the historical story-telling, for although this is a story of the Khoi’s struggle for freedom, it is clearly put that not all the colonials behaved badly against the Khoi ... 
Marlene Wiggill, Die Burger

THE JOINING

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The Joining is a rare and precious book. It possesses itself in simple confidence and serenity, as all works of art do. Perhaps our children require of us, that we should give them back the silenced story of our land and of ourselves ... [this] is a book of manifest magic.
Petra Grutter: judge, Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature, 1996

The San have been used most convincingly, and most originally, as a metaphor for the inner, mythic life which has receded so painfully in our time ... the concept of a ‘joining’ is ... a valuable contribution within this San metaphor. “The Joining” goes well beyond ordinary story-telling into the world of revelation. It is an original work of art.
Reader Three for the Sanlam Award, 1996

This is a book which I consider one of the ‘milestones’ of South African children’s literature ... it is excellently written, profound and exciting - and portrays the earliest history of our land in the way in which all children should absorb. 
Jay Heale, Cape Argus 

I am so glad that you wrote this book ... it is a glimpse of hope and light in a world that is so often hopeless and painful. I think that a lot of children (and adults) will read “The Joining” and be changed; they will walk away with hope and light.
Naomi Brice 

Lanklaas het ‘n jeugboek wat soveel diepte en begrip vasvang, op die rak verskyn - dis ‘n absoluut genot om dit te lees. ‘The Joining’ is ‘n aangrypende verhaal en ‘n móét vir lesers van twaalf tot viertien ... die unieke styl van Slingsby maak van dié boek ‘n wenner in meer as net een opsig. 
Ingrid Wagener, Beeld 

This is a most worthy prizewinner of the Sanlam Young Literature awards. 
Jay Heale, Bookchat 

Slingsby voer die leser saam met hierdie aangrypende avontuur ook ‘n stewige porsie goed nagevorsde inligting ... hy skep ‘n warm wêreld en geloofwaardige groep mense wie se hart klop met menslikheid, kundigheid en wysheid. Terselfdertyd lewer hy ook kommentaar op hoe die mens in Afrika sy nalatenskap vernietig het. 
Rapport 

The Joining is a book that needs to be read, and needs to be prescribed in schools, because without self-conscious attempts at being politically correct, it is profoundly so. 
Helen Brain, Mail & Guardian