Juggling with Mandarins by V M Jones

Told by Matt Whelan.

Juggling with Mandarins by V (Vicky) M Jones (2003) tells the story of a pivotal time in the life of a young boy. 13 year old Pip feels he is being called on to fulfill sporting ambitions his father can no longer achieve. Pip’s older brother Nick takes after his macho dad while Pip is more like his more sensitive mother and his baby sister Madeline. He hates being shouted at from the soccer sidelines by his dad and feels he can never live up to his expectations. His dad has a big chip on his shoulder since an accident took him away from his work as a fireman and the subsequent failings of his milk delivery business.

Pip is also struggling with his changing feelings for Katie, the girl next door. As well as learning to juggle mandarins, he learns how to juggle new feelings and relationships, and discovers he has a real talent for indoor rock climbing. In the end his father watches him climb and recognizes his son’s courage, not just in climbing.

Engineer: Ian Gordon; Producer: Prue Langbein 2009

 

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 1

    7 Jul 2014

    Thirteen-year-old Pip wishes his father wasn't so obsessed about always having to win. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 2

    8 Jul 2014

    Pip's favourite teacher suggests the class all learn to juggle. His success-driven father is concerned 18-month-old Madeline hasn't started to walk yet. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 3

    9 Jul 2014

    Pip finds his way into the new Igloo Sports stadium, discovers the climbing room and feels compelled to climb. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 4

    10 Jul 2014

    Pip finds that Katie is going out with his rival Jordan Archer. But he's also discovered he has a real talent for climbing. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 5

    11 Jul 2014

    Pip is picked for the transition climbing class, but hasn't told his parents or his older brother Nick. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 6

    14 Jul 2014

    Katie tells Pip she could never have feelings for him like the ones she has for Jordan. Pip still hasn't told his family about his climbing. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 7

    15 Jul 2014

    Pip finally confronts his overbearing father but neither of them will back down. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 8

    16 Jul 2014

    Pip perfects juggling three mandarins and encourages his baby sister never to be scared to fall. He also decides to enter the Climbing Championships. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 9

    17 Jul 2014

    Pip falls in the first climb of the competition but gets a second chance. And he gets a chance to ask his father to come and watch him in the final. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Juggling with Mandarins - Part 10

    18 Jul 2014

    Despite his damaged ankle, Pip wins the climbing Super Final, watched by his Dad. They make peace. Back home, little Maddy walks for the first time. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

Juggling with Mandarins by VM Jones

Published by Harper Collins, 2003
ISBN: 978 1 869 504625

Juggling with Mandarins won the Junior Fiction category of the NZ Post Book Awards in 2004.

V (Vicky) M Jones was born in Zambia and educated in Zimbabwe. She completed a BA in English, Archaeology and Social Anthropology from the University of Cape Town and is a qualified gemmologist. Jones has lived in Christchurch with her husband and two children since 1997. She has written many successful books.

Matt Whelan is a Toi Whakaari graduate now living in Auckland. He's best known for his role in the television series Go Girls and in the NZ movie Show of Hands.