NCACL Cultural Diversity Database
Results
Jacket Cover | Author | Illustrator | Title | Publisher/Date | Key Concepts | Audience | AC Links/EYLF | Annotation | AC Links/EYLF Full |
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Cheng, Christopher | Anelli, Liz | Old Fellow |
Walker Books, 2022 | An elderly gentleman and his equally elderly dog companion go for their usual walk in the neighbourhood park. Throughout both the gentleman and his dog show their great affection for one another. The author, Christopher Cheng, dedicates this book to the ‘Old Fellows of Camperdown Memorial Park’. The illustrator, Liz Anelli, captures their devotion towards each other in her illustrations. The opening endpapers feature ‘Old Fellow’ lazing in his bed reading the newspaper, while his dog affectionally drags the cover away, eager to take their usual leisurely stroll in the park. The interior room looks decidedly busy and cosy, warm and inviting with its glass-decorated door and comfy furnishings. The story demonstrates the importance of diverse communities and communal spaces to bring people together. The artwork reveals detailed scenes of this busy park where people in the neighbourhood know and talk with one another. The park offers a welcoming environment with its comfy benches where children play, dogs of various breeds and personalities chase one another, people lay about, sit comfortably on blankets and benches, children go skate boarding, lost dogs are found, escaped chickens wander, ball games abound with people exercising, playing chess and sharing life experiences. Above all friendships and relationships between culturally diverse families and their pets feature and add to this story’s sense of contentment. Nothing much happens yet relationships blossom and thrive. As our elderly gentleman concludes, ‘Isn’t our park the most wonderful place.’ For the viewer, Liz Anelli has reflected these warm relationships and daily goings-on in the neighbourhood park and especially she captures the relationships between humans and their animals. Her illustrations are warm and inviting with a varied colour paint, collage, coloured pencils and computer-generated images. Here is a portrait of life in the neighbourhood part, one full of warmth and joy and a celebration of community connections. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACPPS001 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACHASSK033 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 |
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Jordan Collins | Phil Lesnie | Where? |
Allen & Unwin, 2022, 2022 | Put simply this book, ‘Where?’ (Where are you from?) is an answer to that much-asked question. The subtext is the question of why do you look, sound different to me? Jordan Collins’ answer is much more than the simple answer expected. Two mynas sit on the cover of this book, above the poet narrator who is bundled into a jacket and scarf, with a woolly hat pulled down over ears – the reader sees them in profile only. Author Jordan Collins’ first performance of ‘Where?’ at a slam poetry gig as a 14-year-old is re-imagined over a double page spread as the title page. The audience, who reflect Australia’s diversity, listen delightedly in a garden setting with another myna perching cheekily on the microphone. The poet has their back to the reader. Maintaining our sidelong view, the reader next sees the poet with dark-skinned hands turned upwards in jokey supplication to their questioner, frizzy hair and strong features in a half smile. When a glib answer supplied to the title question doesn’t land, their Anglo questioner follows them and their black cat from the playground up a bleak highway. The poet turns the handle to go through a door into another world. Illustrator Phil Lesnie has poet and cat soar through the stars, fall to earth in a meteor shower and end up rowing to shore – then through a cave and primordial landscape. A double page spread has the pair picking their way ashore from the bow of a weathered boat - a divisive symbol of illegal arrival in Australia. Throughout the book, images of animal ‘invaders’ and elements of evolutionary history amplify the words on the page pictorially until finally, defiantly, the poet rips open their protective coat to reveal … the universe. The poet’s eyes never meet the reader’s and that is the ultimately most powerful illustrative device to convey their message. Notes from each of the creators affirm that this book echoes their lived experiences. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0017 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACPPS051 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 |
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Jolly, Jane | Hurst, Elise | Ali the Bold Heart |
Limelight Press, 2006 | Jane Jolly reveals that her inspiration for ‘Ali the Bold Heart’ came from the story she heard from a lawyer working with refugees. It was about an Iranian refugee, Ali, in the Woomera Detention Centre in the South Australian Simpson Desert. Ali tried for five years to gain a visa to allow him to stay in Australia, but he was unsuccessful. He was deported and not heard from again. Jane Jolly was inspired that Ali never gave up trying to gain a visa and so wrote this story. Ali is a magician who flees from his homeland because life has become dangerous. He makes a long, difficult journey by boat to a new land and is locked up. Downhearted, Ali performs magic tricks for the children and the adults there. One night there is a sandstorm. In the morning, Ali is gone. Jane Jolly uses figurative language which provides a memorable reading experience. For example, surrounding the refugee camp was ‘wire as sharp as tiger’s teeth’ and the gates ‘creaked and shuddered’. Elise Hurst, the illustrator, researched the people, landscape and detention camps to give the story authenticity but there is little detail provided. Rather, the artwork provokes emotional responses to the story. Intense watercolours generalise, rather than detail, the setting that renders the story universal and more open to interpretation for different readers. Facial expressions of both adults and children are realistic and draw the reader into this story. The landscapes are nondescriptive, perhaps reflecting the monotony of the setting. Astute viewers will notice there are illustrations of stars throughout, there to symbolise hope, according to the illustrator. The story is simply told with a minimum of detail ensuring that different ages can access this story according to their level of understanding. Ethical and moral issues are raised and depending on the maturity of the reader and viewer, there is much to talk about. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS040 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHGK043 ACHGK046 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACDSEH023 ACDSEH143 ACHGK076 |
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Australian Families of South Sudanese Heritage | Australian Families of South Sudanese Heritage | This Is My Home |
Kids’ Own Publishing, 2021 | Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Hope Immigration Migrants Migration Relationships Resilience Respect Social life |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
Agum Maluach is a storyteller. She met with the young people and their parents who are the creators of this book. They wanted to share their views about ‘home’. This they did in online workshops with their older siblings during the COVID-19 lockdown. Agum interviewed the children together with their parents which enabled these stories to include how the parents used to play and what home meant to them. Each of the eight double page spreads showcases several different interpretations of the topic. For example, ‘Here is my home’ for one child: ‘I like my home because we have law that protects us all. I feel safe’. On each double page, Agum includes her brief text contrasting her home in Sudan. The young writers used coloured pens and papers, scissors, glue sticks and other arts and crafts to create their different aspects of home, such as, ‘Home is my backyard, where I play games’. There are scenes of families together and comments such as ‘home makes me feel alive and almost at peace.’ There is a savoury page too. ‘In the evening, we eat Mum’s great dishes’, illustrates favourite foods with mouth-watering descriptions. Home is also where the children use laptops, watch Netflix and play computer games. On the final page are their future wishes, where children reveal what they want to be when they grow up plus wishes for their family and home. Photographs of the 11 children who participated in the creation of this book are included at the back of the book. This book’s special strength is the insights in others’ lives and their hopes and dreams for the future. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK013 ACHASSK014 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACSHE013 ACAVAM106 ACPPS001 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK033 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0016 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK069 ACAVAM110 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Naitanui, Nic | Anaya, Fatima | Little Nic’s Big World |
Albert Street Books, 2021 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Language Social life |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
Little Nic stars again in this second story featuring a fete with different food, sports, music and sharing of diverse cultural backgrounds. Each family brings their different foods for a sumptuous shared fete. The four line stanzas are full of childlike energy and feature alternating rhyming lines with the occasional Fijian word. A small adventure features when Nic loses his backpack with his cassava cake for sharing. Luckily Mum spots the backpack before the celebrations begin with an Acknowledgment of land, its inhabitants and the Elders. The celebration fills a large double page spread highlighting sport, music, crafts and food from around the world. In an activity for young readers, a small dialogue bubble challenges viewers to find 16 items across the double page illustration including three hair ribbons, a unicorn horn and three dragonflies. ‘Little Nic’s Big World’ is an engaging appreciation of different cultures. Nic Naitanui is an AFL West Coast Eagles superstar. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK012 ACSSU002 ACPPS001 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK033 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0017 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS040 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK109 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Gleitzman, Morris | Always |
Penguin Random House, 2021 | Conflict Empathy Family Friendship History Hope Racism Refugees Resilience Social justice War |
Secondary Upper primary |
‘Always’ is the final novel in Morris Gleitzman’s seven-book series, ‘Felix and Zelda’. The series covers a massive landscape geographically from Poland to Australia and from the 1940s through contemporary times. The series is the story of persecution of cultural groups and the impact that this continues to have on society. Now, in this final story, young Wassim, 10 years of age, battles racism and gang violence in contemporary Poland. Using analytical thinking, Wassim uncovers a story about Felix Salinger, our hero from the first book in the series. Felix was then 10 years old like Wassim is now. Felix is now 87. Both have battled racism and persecution, and together they will defeat it again, but not without moments of terror and great anguish. ‘Always’, like the entire series, is riveting and unforgettable. This is a story for all times with characters of great resilience. Teacher’s Resources for this book are available from the publisher’s website. Series: Felix and Zelda book 7 |
ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK113 ACSSU083 ACPPS051 ACPPS052 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACSHE100 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHGK043 ACHGK046 ACHGK047 ACSHE120 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACSHE226 ACSHE135 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH024 ACDSEH024 ACHGK076 |
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Fussell, Sandy | Red Day |
Walker Books Australia, 2020 | Conflict Compassion Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Detention centres Empathy Family Friendship History Hope Kindness Racism Social justice War |
Secondary Upper Primary |
‘Red Day’ gives so much to its readers. Firstly, there are two fascinating and distinct genres working here—historical fiction and magical realism. Then there are fascinating and multi-faceted characters whose perspectives allow readers to experience intense emotions. Young Charlie has synaesthesia. She’s prickly, intelligent and hard-headed but not without empathy. Charlie’s experiences are very real to the reader, sometimes frighteningly so. There is also young Kenichi, who comes as a Japanese exchange student to Cowra in New South Wales. Located here are the remnants of the 1940s Cowra Prisoner of War Camp. Kenichi’s father tasks his son with finding where his grandfather, a war pilot, was buried. Kenichi must arrange to ‘bring him home’. The story thus blends the historical fiction element of the Cowra Prisoner of War Camp breakout with contemporary times. Charlie and Kenichi are inextricably linked as both have lost people with whom they need to reconnect. The prose is crisp and often transports the reader inside Charlie’s synaesthesia experiences. Kenichi’s search for the whereabouts of his grandfather’s remains becomes the reader’s search too. There are several fascinating and complex adult characters. Such is this author’s skills that moments of high tension, danger and disagreements are deeply felt by the reader. The historical recreation of the 1944 Cowra Prisoner of War Camp breakout is seamlessly woven into this contemporary story of two young teenagers whose intertwined lives bring about a satisfying resolution. |
ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACDSEH024 ACDSEH108 ACDSEH143 ACHGK081 |
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Kranz, Andy Mia | Kranz, Andy Mia | The Secret Home |
Secret Cave Projects, 2019 | Conflict Compassion Empathy Family Friendship History Kindness Refugees Relationships Resilience War |
Primary Secondary Upper primary |
This is a true story, presented as a fable, about a family, Zygmunt, Franciszka and Henryk, who were taken in by a brave family who hid them from danger. Both families were at great risk and if caught could well have been killed or interned. Hiding for most of each day in a tiny cave, they had little to eat and risked being discovered by the soldiers each time they came out to get exercise and fresh air. The family lived like this for several years before the war ended and they were able to live a free life. Eventually they migrated to another country but always kept in contact with the family that kept them safe. A picture book for upper primary and early secondary, for students who want to learn about the experiences of refugees and those who assist them. |
ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Chowdhury, Radhiah | Naidu, Lavanya | The Katha Chest |
Allen & Unwin, 2021 | Celebrations Cultural traditions Family Friendship History Immigration Racial identity Relationships Social life |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
Asiya loves visiting Nanu’s house which is filled with treasures, the best treasure being the katha chest. Katha quilts are made of old saris and are very colourful and soft. Each quilt tells a story and Asiya’s imagination runs riot as she spreads out the special quilts. The richly coloured illustrations show Asiya spreading out the quilts whilst other pages show displayed quilts telling the stories of her family’s life. All the quilts are brought out of the chest when the family comes together to drink tea, tell stories and remember Nanu. Included are the author’s and Illustrator’s notes with more information about the katha quilts from Bangladesh and the important part they played in the life of the author and illustrator. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK013 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACAVAM106 ACAVAR109 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACELA1443 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACHASSK030 ACHASSK033 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACHASSK046 ACHASSK050 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACAVAM110 ACAVAR113 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACAVAM114 ACAVAR117 ACPPS051 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Greenwood, Mark | Greenwood, Mark | The Happiness Box : A Wartime Book of Hope |
Walker Books, 2018 | Cultural traditions Friendship History Hope Peace Relationships Resilience War |
Primary Secondary Upper primary |
There really was a book called, ‘The Happiness Box.’ In 1942 Australian prisoners of war created Christmas presents for children interned in Changi Prison, Singapore. One of those gifts was a book, ‘The Happiness Box’. It was a story of three friends: a lizard, a monkey and a frog who discover a box that contains the secrets to happiness. Sadly, the gifts were never received by those children. Instead, ‘The Happiness Box ‘was buried until the end of the war when it was unearthed. ‘The Happiness Box’ was published in 1947 and again in 1991. The original book is kept in the State Library of New South Wales. Mark Greenwood and Andrew McLean have put together the story of this remarkable book’s creation. This picture book shows an important part of our history and the challenges that so many went through during World War II. Notes at the end of the book give more details about the events and include a list of sources, useful for teachers or older students who want to find out more. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELA1500 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Saxby, Claire | Jackson, Mark and Potter, Heather | The Anzac Billy |
Black Dog Books, 2019 | Conflict Compassion Family History Hope Kindness Relationships War |
Primary Secondary Upper primary |
A young boy fills a billy (tin can used for boiling water) with Christmas gifts for his dad who is on the other side of the world fighting in a war. He, his mum and grandmother fill the billy with useful gifts, luxuries and letters as they remember this father, husband and son. Once filled the billy will be packed along with thousands of others in boxes, loaded onto ships and sent to the soldiers. There is a chance that the billy will be given to another soldier but no matter. Every billy is filled with treats, love and hope so that whomever the recipient that person will know that they are loved and remembered. The muted tones of this picture book capture the sombre times for so many Australian families with loved ones away at war. Despite the seriousness of wartimes, it is also a story of hope and love. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELA1500 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Wilson, Mark | Wilson, Mark | Rachel’s War : The Story of an Australian WWI Nurse |
Lothian/Hachette Children’s Books, 2021 | Conflict Compassion Empathy Friendship History Kindness Relationships Resilience War |
Primary Upper primary Secondary |
Based on the life of Rachel Pratt, an Australian army nurse who served in France during World War 1, ‘Rachel’s War ‘is a beautiful picture book about a young nurse working in terrible conditions to nurse the sick and wounded. At the end of the book is a note about Rachel and other Australian nurses and the lack of recognition they received as veterans. The book gives detailed descriptions about the horrific conditions on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Over 156,000 Australian soldiers were wounded or gassed during WW1 and they were cared for by fewer than 3,000 nurses. The nurses assisted Turkish soldiers as well as Australian soldiers, anyone who needed care. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS058 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Saxby, Claire | Haywire |
Omnibus Books, 2020 | Conflict Compassion Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Detention centres Empathy Family Friendship Intolerance Kindness Migration Racial conflict Racism Social justice War |
Upper primary Secondary |
‘Haywire’ is a vividly told historical fiction novel set in the year 1939. The story is told through the alternating perspectives of two 14-year-old boys who become friends. Through them, readers gain insights into the different perspectives of people living through these times. Max Gruber is German and his parents are viewed as anti-Hitler therefore Max is in danger too. He is sent to stay with his Uncle Ferdy in London to be safe. Both, however, are classified by the British Government as ‘enemy aliens’ and sent to an internment camp in Hay, a country town in Australia. Max’s journey on board the ‘Dunera’ reveals the dismal treatment of those deported from their homeland and on this particular ship. At the same time in Hay, 14-year-old Tom Hanlan sees his two older brothers off to serve in the war, leaving him to help his father in the bakery. His hopes of attending a school in Sydney, then University are dashed. These two boys meet during bread deliveries to Hay’s internment camp and become friends, exchanging perspectives in an open, nonjudgmental way. Chapters alternate between Tom and Max, each revealing their dreams for the future. In a chance moment, Max escapes the internment camp, determined to go home to Germany. He experiences, as a novice, the hostile environment of the Australian bush and suffers dire consequences. ‘Haywire’ cleverly portrays different attitudes towards the war. Tom’s mother is angry and constantly on edge, adamant that the internees are dangerous. Tom’s father represents the voice of reason and empathy. Minor characters also play an important role. ‘Haywire’ is a fast-paced, exciting read with vivid imagery and characters with deep emotions, giving young readers an opportunity to experience what life might have been like during these times. Readers may also be inspired to pursue more information. |
ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACHASSK113 ACSSU083 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACSSU094 ACSHE100 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACSHE136 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACPMP104 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACOKFH022 ACDSEH108 ACHGK076 ACHGK081 |
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Clarke, Maxine Beneba | Clarke, Maxine Beneba | When We Say Black Lives Matter |
Lothian/Hachette Children’s Books, 2020 | Cross cultural relations Empathy History Intolerance Race relations Racism Social justice Tolerance |
Early childhood Early primary Lower primary Primary Upper primary Secondary |
Children are ever curious and observant. They are tuned into world news and events. They question what they do not understand. What must they make of the powerful words and harrowing images of the Black Lives Matter movement played out in life and portrayed here in a picture book format? Here Maxine Beneba Clarke features parents talking with their young. She says, ‘I was inspired to write and create it when thinking about how to explain the concept of Black Lives Matter to the young African diaspora kids in my extended family, living in over eight different countries across the world - including America, Australia, Germany, Barbados and England.’ The message of this book is strong, but not too strident although it is necessarily political. The appealing rhyming text opens with this verse which captures the book’s intent: ‘Little one, when we say Black Lives Matter, A sense of pride underlies the text. There is no shrinking from events portrayed, but not overplayed, in the background. These include marches, police, blockades, and confrontations. Here Clarke presents the Black Lives Matter movement so that it is applicable the world over and can be explored in a simple or more complex way. The illustrations add a layer of complexity which can be discussed or not, depending on a child’s level of maturity. The standout message is pride in being Black and standing up for your beliefs, both individually and collectively. The endpapers offer a montage of artwork reflecting protests. Throughout the story, the solid, dark colours, created with watercolour pencils on heavily textured paper, are the perfect complement for this subject. The double page spreads bleed to the edges of this over-sized book which features deep purples and browns combined with greens and reds. Clarke explains that her colour scheme is a deliberate reference to the colours of the 1960s and ‘a nod to the fact that the black civil rights movement didn’t actually start with the BLM movement’. Maxine Beneba Clarke is a widely published Australian writer of Afro-Caribbean descent. ‘The Patchwork Bike’, her first picture book with Van T. Rudd, was a Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book for 2017. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK013 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK016 ACHASSK017 ACAVAM106 ACAVAR109 ACPPS001 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACHASSK030 ACHASSK033 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0017 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0022 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACHASSK050 ACHASSK051 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACAVAM110 ACAVAR113 ACPPS033 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACAVAM114 ACAVAR117 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACAVAM118 ACAVAR124 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACHGK067 ACHGK069 ACAVAM125 ACAVAR131 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACDSEH023 ACDSEH143 ACHGK076 ACHGK081 |
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Barton, Ashleigh | Heiduczek, Martina | What do you call your Grandma? |
ABC Books, 2021 | Cultural traditions Family Friendships Kindness Language Racial identity Relationships Respect |
Early childhood Lower primary |
A colourful and inclusive book that should be in every early childhood setting, ‘What Do You Call Your Grandma?’ (along with ‘What Do You Call Your Grandpa?’) will be popular with children who will enjoy telling stories about their own grandma. Each colourful double page spread shows a child enjoying an activity with her/his Grandma or whatever the name is in that particular language. Four lines of rhyming couplets end with the chosen name which includes MeeMaw (Southern US), Nonna (Italy), Makhulu (Xhosa) and Jaja (Warlpiri). The last page includes a glossary of all the different names and their country of origin. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK013 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK069 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 |
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Barton, Ashleigh | Heiduczek, Martina | What do you call your Grandpa? |
ABC Books, 2020 | Cultural traditions Family Friendships Kindness Language Racial identity Relationships Respect |
Early childhood Lower primary |
A colourful and inclusive book that should be in every early childhood setting, ‘What Do You Call Your Grandpa?’ (along with ‘What Do You Call Your Grandma?’) will be popular with children who will enjoy telling stories about their own grandpa. Each colourful double page spread shows a child enjoying an activity with her/his Grandpa or whatever the name is in that particular language. Four lines of rhyming couplets end with the chosen name which includes Babu (Swahili), Koro (Maori), Belo (South American Spanish) and Kaku (Gurindji). The last page includes a glossary of all the different names and their country of origin. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK013 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK069 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 |
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Murphy, Sally | Davis, Sarah | Worse Things |
Walker Books, 2020 | Cross Cultural Relations Family Friendship Kindness Language Loss Migrants Refugees Relationships Respect |
Upper primary Secondary |
Sally Murphy is one of Australia’s best verse novelists for young people. This, her fourth, free verse novel features three main characters, each alienated in different ways. The major themes are making connections, experiencing new friendships, overcoming loneliness, grieving and isolation. Sound heavy? Not at all! Each theme is treated with sensitivity and lightness, leading readers to understand others’ perspectives while gaining insights into themselves. The line and grey wash graphics by illustrator, Sarah Davis, effectively reflect emotions and content. Blake, Jolene and Amed alternate in revealing their personal lives and thoughts. Blake is an Aussie Rules football player, but now with a broken arm, feels isolated from the game and his friends. Jolene reluctantly plays hockey due to her mother’s insistence. The recent death of her father causes her great grief. Amed is a recent arrival to Australia from a refugee camp. An Australian aunt, whom he has just met, sponsors his coming to Australia and is keen to offer him a new life. But for Amed, who knows little English and misses his homeland’s familiar football game, his new life is confusing and lonely. Murphy cleverly interweaves these three lives, enabling each to see the others’ challenges and gently offer support. Their strong emotions are very cleverly revealed through the story’s ‘resting points’—dictionary-style word definitions tinged with emotions such as watch, belong, lonely, worry and togetherness. These propel the story along, provide thoughtful points to consider and reveal how Blake, Jolene and Amed are feeling and changing. This is a verse novel that snares and satisfies the reader. |
ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACHGK067 ACHGK069 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACPMP104 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACELA1644 |
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Nannestad, Katrina | Heiduczek, Martina | We Are Wolves |
HarperCollins, 2020 | Conflict Cross cultural relations Empathy Family Friendship History Hope Intolerance Kindness Language Loss Peace Racism Relationships Refugees Resilience Social justice War |
Secondary Upper primary |
‘We Are Wolves’ is an historical fiction novel set in East Prussia during the final days of World War II. The story involves a German family with three young children, Liesel who is 12, Otto who is seven and Mia, who is just starting to walk and talk. In an early scene, these children, their mother, father and grandparents hastily leave their German homeland. Hitler’s regime has been defeated, and the Russians are coming, destroying much in their path. Where can the family go? How will they survive? How can they stay together? The story is so heart-rending that at times what happens to the children especially becomes extremely painful. Author, Katrina Nannestad, however, understands just how far to pursue events and what to suggest rather than detail. For example, when starvation is imminent, gunshots fly too close, and when adults turn the children away or threaten them harm, the author limits details. These may be moments for discussion between the young reader and an adult. Liesel tells this story from her point of view, which informs the reader while holding back some of the darker moments. The three children stay together and in spite of harrowing hardships, they make their way on foot to Lithuania when food and safety are more readily available. This novel is based on the true stories about the Wolfskinder – German children who survived these times by living as wolves, scouring the forests for food, scavenging for essentials and stealing what they needed to survive. They learn that people can be both cruel and kind. They face moral dilemmas such as stealing what is needed to survive and occupying homes which are not their own. The tone is serious throughout but there are warming scenes of humour and moments of deep satisfaction for both characters and readers. The story is ultimately one of kindness and heroism which will reach young readers. The occasional atmospheric grey-tone illustrations of the family and the forest offer resting and thinking time for young readers. |
ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACOKFH024 ACDSEH023 ACHGK076 ACHGK081 |
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Lim, Rebecca | Liu, Leni Liu, Yvette and Lim, Rebecca | Tiger Daughters |
Allen & Unwin, 2021 | Conflict Compassion Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Hope Migrants Race relations Racism Resilience Respect |
Secondary Upper primary |
The author, Rebecca Lim, writes from personal experience as an Asian migrant. She reveals in the Teachers’ Notes for this book that images of Asians, migrants or refugees were never positively portrayed in the children’s books she read when young. She wants to ensure that there are positive books available. Her background renders this story truthful and moving for readers. ‘Tiger Daughter’ features two young adult Chinese friends, Wen Zhou and Henry Xiao. Both are navigating their home lives with parents who follow cultural traditions. Their worlds at school are very different. Both are studying to pass an entrance exam for a selective school believing that this will provide future opportunities. Meanwhile, both are bound by their family’s cultural traditions at home. Two weeks before the entrance exam, tragedy strikes Henry’s family. His world stops, but Wen supports Henry which means she must defy her parents. The tense nature of several scenes makes for harrowing, but ultimately satisfying, reading. It is rare to have a novel that profiles the challenges of both adults and young people. This is a strength of ‘Tiger Daughter’. Wen’s mother gradually and realistically changes. The happy ending is perhaps unrealistic, but even so, it provides opportunities for discussion amongst young readers. |
ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK109 ACPPS051 ACPPS052 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACHGK067 ACHGK069 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACELA1644 |
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Savvides, Irini | Against the Tide |
ABC Books, 2008 | Cross cultural relations Family Friendship History Race relations Racism Relationships Social life |
Secondary | Three families feature, which offer strong cultural contrasts. The Kyriagos are Greek Cypriot Australians. Their daughter, Effi, is 16 years of age. They live in Sydney’s western suburbs. The Smith family features Katie and Matt, cousins, both champion ocean swimmers from South Sydney. The Anastapoulis family features Christie, a 16-year-old Greek Australian, who lives and breathes rap and rhyme. Effi and Christie both live in Western Sydney, and they are immigrants from Greece. Parental and cultural expectations differ and occasionally create tension. Each year Effi and her family return to the beach where her younger brother drowned. Occasionally the parents’ perspectives feature when personal events in their lives are important to their teenage children. There are friendships and budding romance. An underlying theme is racism with a brief insight into the historic Cronulla Riots. Strong relationships abound throughout, and the budding romance is handled with intensity and believability. Young adult readers will experience many of these emotional highs and lows in this verse novel with a large cast of interesting characters. |
ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT163 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACHGK069 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPMP104 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACELA1644 |
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Dandenong West Primary School, St Anthony’s Primary School | Dandenong West Primary School, St Anthony’s Primary School | My Sunny Funny Walk to School |
Kids’ Own Publishing, 2016 | Family Friendship Language Relationships Social life |
Early childhood Lower primary |
A colourful book about a child’s walk to and from school. A variety of materials have been used by children to create a collage of the journey and what the child sees. One double page spread is labelled using lots of different languages. There is also a list of objects to search for within the book. This book would make a jumping off point for teachers and students to create a similar book about their own journey to school or similar trips. Kids’ Own Publishing is a social purpose arts organisation that empowers children, families and communities to share their stories through artist-led community publishing. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK013 ACHASSK014 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACSSU004 ACPPS004 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1443 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK033 ACSSU211 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 |
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Brierley, Saroo with Buttrose, Larry | Whatley, Bruce | Little Lion : A Long Way Home |
Puffin, 2020 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Kindness Language Loss Relationships |
Primary Lower primary Upper primary Secondary |
This is the true story of Saroo Brierley who was lost on a train in India when he was just five years old. After surviving on the streets for weeks, he was taken to an orphanage and eventually adopted by an Australian family. Saroo always wondered about his family and where he was from. Incredibly after 25 years of searching using paper maps and Google Earth, Saroo found a place he was familiar with, his home town. He eventually travelled there and was reunited with his mother. In 2017 Saroo’s story was made into an award-winning film called ‘Lion’ and starring Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel and David Wenham. This beautifully illustrated picture book captures the details of the Saroo’s two cultures. The final page gives more information about Kolkata and the many street children that live in India. |
ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK069 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACPPS051 ACPPS052 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACOKFH022 ACHGK071 ACHGK076 ACHGK081 |
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Bridle, Celia | Bridle, Celia | Black Swan |
Windy Hollow Books, 2010 | Conflict Compassion Empathy Friendship Hope Kindness Loss Peace Refugees Relationships Resilience Respect |
Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
This is the story of a beautiful black swan that had once been caged, abandoned, freed and then welcomed by villagers where she was valued and listened to. The villagers are threatened by a volcano and are rescued by the swan that takes them to a new site where life continues and flourishes. The striking black and white drawings also feature designs that draw on the author’s African upbringing. Part fairy tale, part traditional story the book is about kindness and community. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACSHE062 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK113 ACSSU083 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACSSU094 ACSHE100 |
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Tan, Shaun | Tan, Shaun | Eric |
Allen & Unwin, 2008 | Compassion Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Kindness Resilience Respect Social life |
Lower primary Primary Upper primary Secondary |
A foreign exchange student came to live with a family, and as his name was difficult to pronounce he told the family to call him Eric. The family was very welcoming in their preparations for Eric but Eric chose to sleep and study in the kitchen pantry. Mum explains that, ‘It must be a cultural thing.’ The young narrator of the story had many expectations of Eric but although Eric was curious and polite he was interested in quite different objects and places. Eric leaves the family quite suddenly but a discovery in the pantry some hours later shows that Eric’s time with the family had been a positive one. This book can be viewed on many different levels and is quite inexplicable in the way it is viewed. This is a book to invite discussion about difference, empathy and place. Who is Eric, where is he from and where does he go? The text, as well as the pencil and collage illustrations, produces more questions than answers. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK069 ACPPS037 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACELA1644 |
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The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne | Children at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne | Cultural Diversity: Observations from Children and Young People |
Kids’ Own Publishing, 2013 | Celebrations Compassion Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Relationships Resilience Respect |
Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
Young people who are students at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne set out to discover the cultures around them as well as the commonalities between them. Led by teachers at the RCH, the children wrote and illustrated about their experiences of different cultures, where those cultures are from as well as what it is to be Australian. This colourful book would be a good launching pad for students to create a similar book about their class, school or suburb. |
ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS040 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 |
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Abou-Eid, Amal | Abou-Eid, Samira | My Muslim Mate |
Aly’s Books, 2017 | Celebrations Cultural traditions Family Friendship Kindness Language Migrants Relationships Respect Social life |
Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
Charlie and his best mate, Khaled, were born on the same day, at the same hospital and live in the same street. Charlie describes Khaled and his family, religion and customs in a way that is easy to understand, yet respectful and friendly. It is a useful resource for non-Muslim children and adults who wish to learn more. It is also a book about friendship and the sharing of activities. At the end of the book is a glossary as well as a double page of activities to do with our wonderful world. Simple and colourful illustrations show families sharing time together. |
ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS037 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS055 ACPPS057 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 |
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Lessac, Frane | Lessac, Frane | Under the Southern Cross |
Walker Books Australia, 2018 | Celebrations Cross cultural relations Family Friendship Kindness Relationships |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
From Phillip Island to Darwin, from Mon Repos to Boulia and around Broome, this colourful picture book takes you on a journey through the night-time activities across Australia. Each double page spread begins with the place name or area and a sentence about the place, each ending with - under the Southern Cross. The constellation, the Southern Cross, is clearly shown at the top of each scene. Short paragraphs with more detail about each place are scattered throughout the pages. Night-time activities such as fishing, football, fireworks, Min Min lights, turtles and penguins are drawn in detail with diverse groups of people enjoying the activities, under the Southern Cross. The final two pages give an explanation about the Southern Cross and how to find it in the night sky. (A bonus is that each page has a picture of Frane’s dog, also under the Southern Cross.) |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK014 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACSSU002 ACSSU004 ACSHE013 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK033 ACSSU017 ACSSU211 ACSSU019 ACSHE021 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK045 ACHASSK050 ACHASSK051 ACSSU030 ACSHE034 ACSHE035 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS037 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACSHE062 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK112 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACSSU094 |
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Allen, Emma | Ng, Sher Rill | The Night of the Hiding Moon |
NLA Publishing, 2020 | Cultural traditions Resilience Racial identity |
Early childhood Lower primary |
Felix is scared by the thunder and lightning that comes with a big storm but fortunately has his torch to give him light. The shadows cast on his bedroom walls become his comforting friends and his imagination turns them into shadow puppets which take him on an adventure. He explores the wandering moon, the valleys and the mountains until it is time to return safely home. The book ends with information about the Shadow Puppets of many Asian countries as well as instructions to make your own Shadow Puppets including templates. The book ends with a ‘Word from the Author and Illustrator’ telling readers about their inspiration for this beautiful book. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACAVAR109 ACPPS001 ACPPS003 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0017 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK069 ACAVAM110 ACPPS033 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS042 |
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Lawson, Sue | Anelli, Liz | The Biscuit Maker |
Walker Books, Australia, 2020 | Celebrations Compassion Cross cultural relations Empathy Family Friendship Kindness Migrants Migration Relationships Respect Social life Tolerance |
Early childhood Early primary |
Who is the Biscuit Maker? Benedict Stanley and his cat, Audrey Mae, live at 23 Mavin Road. It’s a busy and diverse neighbourhood but people are not returning Benedict’s morning greetings. One day a young neighbour, Rory, stops to admire Audrey Mae and this gives Benedict the idea to begin baking biscuits for his street. This tasty but anonymous gift is well received until the day Benedict falls ill and the biscuit supply stops. People are concerned but don’t know why until Audrey Mae visits Rory. The neighbours all rally around to help Benedict until he recovers. A beautiful story of kindness and community with a Basic Biscuit Dough recipe at the back of the book. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK014 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK016 ACHASSK017 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACHASSK030 ACHASSK033 ACSSU017 ACSSU211 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0021 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 |
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Kelly, Andrew | Potter, Heather & Jackson, Mark | Little Lon |
Wild Dog, 2020 | Celebrations Compassion Cross cultural relations Empathy Family Friendship Immigrants Immigration Kindness Language Migrants Migration Relationships Resilience Respect Social life Tolerance |
Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
Little Lon is based on the childhood recollections of Marie Hayes who lived near Little Lon, an area around Little Lonsdale Street in Melbourne. She describes her weatherboard house and all the people who lived nearby; people from all over the world. She describes her school, the street games she played, the weekly baths, the food and the markets. Most of all Marie remembers the people who made up her community and what they did. A beautifully illustrated history of inner Melbourne during the 1920-30’s with a final page describing the changes to the area since that time. Detailed Notes from the Author as well as a map of the area give a fascinating history of this area. |
ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACSHE062 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK113 ACSSU083 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS058 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACSSU094 ACSHE100 |
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Blackall, Sophie | Blackall, Sophie | If You Come To Earth |
Chronicle Books, 2020 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Kindness Relationships Respect Social justice Social life Tolerance |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
This picture book opens with a child writing a letter, ‘Dear Visitor from Outer Space, if you come to Earth, here’s what you need to know.’ The author offers a series of microscopic perspectives on the world’s people, animals, places, transport and more. Meanwhile she details our common humanity while celebrating our differences. The large double page spreads are a visual feast celebrating different cultures, modes of travel, types of sea creatures, animals, birds and more. Here is an opening line: ‘The Sea looks empty,’ then with a turn of the page, there is a huge array of sea creatures. ‘Grown-ups do lots of things to make the world work’, and displayed are 40 small portraits of people across the world engaged in various activities, dressed in different clothes and displaying their work and leisure activities. There is an inbuilt social conscience in both words and images, such as the double page with 23 culturally different people sitting around a large table with various foods. The words say, ‘Whatever we are doing, we need to eat when we are hungry. Some of us have more food than others. We all need food and water to survive.’ Another example of this book’s gentle powers of observation show soldiers fighting while the text says, ‘Sometimes we hurt each other’ then ‘It’s better when we help each other’. As you might anticipate in a children’s book, the ending feature a young child writing a message to the potential visitor from outer space, ‘If you come to Earth, you can stay in my room.’ Sophie Blackwell explains the genesis of this book. When visiting a school on top of the Himalayan mountain in Bhutan and other places around the world, she found that stories brought people together in spite of social differences. She found inspiration in thoughts and ideas from children, many of which feature in this book. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACSSU002 ACSHE013 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1443 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK033 ACSSU017 ACSSU211 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK046 ACHASSK050 ACHASSK051 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS037 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACSHE062 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK113 ACSSU083 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACSSU094 ACSHE100 |
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Caisley, Raewyn | Blair, Karen | Hello from Nowhere |
Penguin, 2014 | Empathy Family Friendship Kindness Relationships Respect Social life Cross cultural relations |
Early childhood Lower primary |
Eve thinks that living in the middle of nowhere is better than living anywhere else. She lives at a petrol station with her parents and various animals. She’s not lonely because a bus stops by twice a day bringing a diverse group of people from all over the world as well as Australian truck drivers and caravaners who drive through. Even when there is no one else around Eve enjoys exploring the wide open spaces. One thing does make Eve sad, her Nan won’t visit because ‘She thinks it’s the back of beyond.’ Eve writes to her Nan and finally her Nan appears on the bus. Eve loves sharing her life with her Nan, showing her the people she meets on their travels or who live locally. Eve is sad when Nan returns home but knows her Nan will return. A beautiful picture book that shows that even in the middle of nowhere there is still a lot to see and enjoy including people from around the world as well as Australia’s First People. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK013 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACSSU002 ACSSU004 ACSHE013 ACPPS001 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK033 ACSSU017 ACSSU211 ACSSU018 ACSSU019 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK046 ACHASSK050 ACHASSK051 ACSSU030 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 |
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Hope, Charles | Racklyeft, Jess | The Year of the Rat |
Wild Dog Books, 2020 | Celebrations Cultural traditions Resilience |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
It is the Year of the Rat, 2020, according to the Chinese zodiac calendar. Rat stars in this story of a play featuring various animals where everything goes wrong during its production. Though timid and nervous, Rat refuses to give up. Through her strength, determination, hard work, persuasive will power and clever ways to solve problems, the play goes on. The crowd cheers and claps at the play’s successful performance. The illustrator’s watercolours are soft, cheerful and playful with plenty of white space to attract attention and bring out each animal character’s personality. A double page spread at the back of the book features each animal’s years of appearance on the calendar and the characteristics of each Zodiac animal. Rat, for example, is described as clever, sensitive and organised, among other traits. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACPPS001 ACPPS005 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS037 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Vescio, Robert | Edmonds, Andrea | The Voyage |
EK Books, 2019 | Asylum seekers Immigrants Migrants Loss Refugees War |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
Only 14 words tell this complex yet simple picture book story about a refugee’s journey from their homeland to their new home. A brief phrase features on each double page spread. Beginning with the word ‘chaos’, the viewer witnesses explosions, buildings collapsing, people running and a family fleeing to ‘escape’ to a boat. The viewer-participant in this picture book becomes part of the story as the family travels by sea before beginning a new life. This is a simplified version of the very complicated reality of a refugee. Informative watercolour images convey the story and keep young viewers interested. Children too young to understand the hardships of a refugee can gain a limited understanding about a family leaving their happy home and creating a new one. The topic of refugees fleeing is a difficult one for young readers, yet it is the reality for some children. The simplicity of the presentation makes this a suitable story for the younger reader. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACHASSK014 ACHASSK015 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK030 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0017 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACHASSK050 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 |
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Fraillon, Zana | Baker-Smith, Grahame | Wisp: A Story of Hope |
Lothian/Hachette, 2018 | Detention centres Family Hope Loss Refugee Resilience |
Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
‘Idris lived in a small, small world where fences grew from the dirt and where shadows ruled.’ So begins this story with a poetic text. Idris, a young boy, encounters a gentle light which escapes from his hands and lands in the hands of individuals who are living in his world. As each person holds the gentle light, or the ‘Wisp’, they remember their lives in happier times. Each individual experiences happiness as ‘rememberings’ that are experienced. Idris though has no memories of other places in his life, so the Wisp shows him future possibilities and whispers to him, ‘Someday’. This open-ended picture book prompts discussion and individual interpretations enhanced by dreamy and captivating illustrations. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Clarke, Maxine Beneba | Knowles, Isobel | Wide Big World |
Lothian/Hachette Australia, 2018 | Cultural traditions Family Respect Social life Tolerance |
Early childhood Lower primary |
Kindergarten children notice that they look different and have different cultures. They begin noticing many differences such as one is ‘hairy and tall’ and another is ‘cute, chubby and bald’. ‘Difference is everywhere’ in the world, including nature, they observe. Visible differences in cultures is the underlying theme, with both words and images conveying this idea clearly. The acceptance and appreciation of differences in this picture book offer opportunities for group discussion and interaction. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACPPS001 ACPPS004 ACPPS006 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS040 ACPPS042 |
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French, Jackie | Spudvilas, Anne | When the War is Over |
HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2019 | Conflict Family Loss Peace |
Lower primary Primary |
Jackie French creates a series of moving short poems for this picture book which recalls relationships between those engaged in wartime conflicts. Those at home are waiting for their family members to return. The book is ‘about the joy of reunion and the enduring power of love’. Some of the conflicts included are World War I and II, Korean and Vietnam Wars, Indonesian conflict, Gulf Wars, Timor-Leste and others. Anne Spudvillas’ artwork is highly evocative and captures the emotions of those away in conflicts and those waiting at home for their family members to return. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Crumble, P | Bentley, Jonathan | We Are All Equal |
Omnibus Books/Scholastic Australia, 2018 | Kindness Respect Tolerance |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
The animals are different. They spend their time differently, have different skills, attributes, homes, families and bodies, but every single one matters. No one way of being is better than any other. Everyone is equal. This picture book will spark discussion about the different abilities and talents of those in a community with a reminder that despite differences everyone deserves respect, empathy and understanding. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACSSU002 ACPPS001 ACPPS004 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK033 ACSSU017 ACSSU211 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0022 ACPPS0024 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACSSU030 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACSSU094 |
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Ridge, Judith, editor | Tan, Shaun | The Book That Made Me |
Walker Books, 2016 | Family Immigrants Language Relationships Social life |
Secondary Upper primary |
This anthology features 31 well known, mostly Australian and New Zealand, authors who write short stories, fiction, poetry and other types of works. Here they talk about the books they read when young that influenced, inspired, changed their lives and turned them into writers. Those featured include culturally diverse creators. Writers include Markus Zusack, Jaclyn Moriarty, Shaun Tan, Mal Peet, Ambelin Kwaymullina, Simon French, Fiona Wood, Simmone Howell, Bernard Beckett, Ursula Dubosarsky, Rachael Craw, Sue Lawson, Felicity Castagna, Benjamin Law, Cath Crowley, Kate Constable, James Roy, Alison Croggon, Will Kostakis and Randa Abdel-Fattah. Black and white cartoons by Shaun Tan feature. These authors’ favourite books may encourage young readers to read more widely. |
ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACHASSK113 ACSSU083 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACSHE100 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACELA1644 |
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Adut, Deng Thiak and McKelvey, Ben | Songs of a War Boy |
Lothian, 2019 | Family History Racial conflict Refugees Resilience Social justice War |
Secondary | Den Thiak Adut is six-years-old when war comes to his village in South Sudan. He is taken from his family, conscripted into the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army, taught how to use an AK-47 and sent to battle. He is shot, plagued by illness and experiences the horrors of war. There appears to be little hope for the future. His half-brother, John, rescues him after five years and both become the third Sudanese family resettled in Australia. He works in a local service station and learns English watching ‘The Wiggles’ and reading the Bible. He teaches himself to read and studies at TAFE then later completes a law degree at Western Sydney University and a Master of Laws in Criminal Prosecution at Wollongong University. Den Thiak Adut is the first person in his family to graduate from university. His story is confronting and best suited to a mature reader. In the prologue to this biography, he states, ‘Yes, I have had a difficult life. I’m proud of some things I have done, and ashamed of others, but I own all of it, and I’ve reconciled with all of it. That’s why I am whole.’ Deng Thiak Adut received Australian citizenship in 2001. He became a refugee advocate and for his achievements, chosen as the 2017 New South Wales Australian of the Year. |
ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS078 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACHGK067 ACHGK069 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACELA1644 ACOKFH022 ACDSEH023 ACDSEH143 ACHGK076 ACHGK081 |
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Laguna, Ingrid | Songbird |
Text, 2019 | Family Friendship History Immigrants Migration Racial identity Refugees Resilience |
Secondary Upper primary |
Jamila is an 11-year-old who has left her friends, her school and her home in Iraq. She now lives in Melbourne, Australia. She, her mother and younger brother are refugees newly arrived from Iraq. She desperately misses her father and her best friend, both still in Iraq. It is hard for Jamila to settle into a new life made more difficult as she is often called away from school to help her mother. She desperately wants to learn English and do well in school, but these absences make this difficult. When she joins the choir, Jamila begins to feel happy. Singing helps take her worries away and find a place in her new life. The book includes a significant amount of Arabic and a glossary that provides the meaning for each of the words that Jamila and her mother use. When Jamila hears about the school choir, she at last has an opportunity to excel as she both sings and writes her own songs. She finds a new friend, Eve, who also loves to sing and agrees that Jamila is a gifted singer. The author uses her experience of teaching young people from different cultural backgrounds and her own love of music in this novel to create a story that touches the reader in so many familiar ways – pursuing your talents, making friends, and honouring family and traditions while embracing diversity. |
ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK113 ACAMUR091 ACPPS051 ACPPS052 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACAMUR105 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACELA1644 ACDSEH023 ACDSEH143 |
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Fraser, Janine M | Magisson, Helene | Sarah’s Two Nativities |
Black Dog Books, 2019 | Celebrations Cross cultural relations Family Respect Social life Tolerance |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
Grandmother Azar tells stories from the Holy Koran (sic) but Grandmother Maria tells stories from the Holy Bible. Sarah loves these tales but wonders how they can both be true. ‘Sarah’s Two Nativities’ is light-hearted picture book about family, acceptance and intercultural understanding. This book provokes discussion for families of more than one faith. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK013 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACELA1443 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK030 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACHASSK050 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK069 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Dunstan, Kylie | Dunstan, Kylie | Same, but little bit diff’rent |
Windy Hollow Books, 2012 | Cross cultural relations Family Friendship Language Respect Social life |
Lower primary Primary |
Two youngsters compare their lives, one living in a country area of an Aboriginal community and the other living in a city. The repeated refrain says these are the ‘same but a little bit diff’rent’. The story content reveals an Aboriginal lifestyle in the northern part of Australia contrasted with another part of urban Australia. This picture book uses Dunstan’s signature collage technique with stylised illustrations that have a touch of humour and childlike appearance. Whereas pets in the city might be dogs, up north in Australia, the ‘friend’ might be an alligator. The repetitive phrasing encourages children to join in chanting the text and assists readers in anticipating both words and story. There is a sense of respect for both cultures. Kylie Dunstan spent a year in a remote community near Kakadu, Northern Territory. |
ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACSHE062 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK112 ACHASSK113 ACSSU083 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACSHE100 |
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Kwaymullina, Ambelin, compiler, Lim, Rebecca, compiler | Meet Me at the Intersection |
Fremantle Press, 2018 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Emigrants Immigrants Migrants Race relations Respect Social life |
Secondary | This #ownvoices anthology, edited by Rebecca Lim and Ambelin Kwaymullina, represents 18 creators, both established and emerging writers who offer their ‘own voice’ through their memories, poetry and short fiction. The collection features writers who are First Nations, People of Colour, LGBTIQA+, those living with disability, migrant experiences and cultural backgrounds including Chinese-Australian, Muslim, Burmese, Canadian and others. Each author explores life from their own unique perspective using a range of writing styles such as short fiction, memoir and poetry. Some stories cover difficult and controversial topics but important for mature readers. Topics include racism, homophobia, bullying, death, mental health and others. Ambelin Kwaymullina is an Aboriginal writer and illustrator who comes from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. |
ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS078 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACSHE226 ACSHE135 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH024 ACDSEH023 ACDSEH143 ACHGK071 ACHGK081 |
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Beer, Sophie | Beer, Sophie | Kindness Makes Us Strong |
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2019 | Family Friendship Kindness Respect Tolerance |
Early childhood Lower primary |
Each of the 12 double page spreads in this board book has a story to tell, such as sharing an object, taking turns, sharing space, cheering others up when needed. The bold, vibrant and busy illustrations feature cultural diversity in a natural way with children and adults all offering support of one kind or another to each other. Some unusual helping acts are included such as watering plants thus adding opportunities to talk about what the images are ‘saying’. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACSSU017 ACSSU211 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0021 ACPPS0022 ACPPS0023 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 |
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Dubosarsky, Ursula | Chapman, Gaye | Leaf Stone Beetle |
Dirt Lane Press, 2018 | Asylum seekers Family Loss Migration Relationships Resilience |
Primary Secondary Upper primary |
‘Leaf Stone Beetle’ is a beautifully produced story which is both simple and complex inviting multiple interpretations. Chapman’s three double page black ink drawings set the mood of serious contemplation and reflection. On one level this is a simple fable chapter book. It has three sections representing its three characters’ journeys. At the same time the story reflects the cyclical patterns of life in the natural world. The story opens with a violent storm where our first character, Leaf, is the sole survivor left on the tree. Then Leaf falls from the tree and shifts to the edge of a stream. Our second character, Stone, has been dislocated by the storm while Beetle, our third character, finds safety and a home beneath the Stone. The three characters form a community. There are many layers to unpack in this story with much discussion possible. Philosophical in nature, there are opportunities to discuss, home, family, dislocation, migration, resilience, relationships as well as topics such as the environment and survival. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS040 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACSHE062 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACSSU094 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Dent, Nick | Houghton, Suzanne | Goat on a Boat |
Scholastic, 2019 | Asylum seekers Compassion Detention centres Empathy Kindness |
Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
Sheep lives on a harsh rocky island, where food is scarce and competition is fierce. When Goat arrives, there are concerns there will not be enough food for everyone. The immediate response is to ‘Stop the goats!’ Goat is not worried and instead shows the Sheep that visitors can make a valuable contribution to a community. There is a clever use of vocabulary, humour and rhyme in this picture book, which expresses opinions about Australia’s detention centres. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK198 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH022 ACDSEH143 |
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Freeman, Pamela | Beer, Sophie | Amazing Australian Women: Twelve Women Who Shaped History |
Lothian, 2018 | Cultural traditions History Immigrants Racial identity Social life |
Primary Secondary Upper primary |
A dozen Australian women feature in this inspiring informational book. Here are women who have made a lasting impact as warriors, artists, business owners, scientists, singers, politicians, pilots, actors, athletes, adventurers, activists and innovators. Some are known Australia-wide while others are lesser known people. They come from every State and Territory in Australia and include Aboriginal people, a Chinese-Australian and others from wide-ranging backgrounds. The highly appealing, easy to read text is inspirational, retelling fascinating stories and providing anecdotes about each woman. Further resources include websites, images, articles and audio resources. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS037 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACSHE062 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS057 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACSHE100 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Jennings, Paul | Kelly, Geoff | A Different Dog |
Allen & Unwin, 2017 | Family Friendship Kindness Resilience |
Primary Upper primary |
The boy cannot speak, though the reader is not told why initially. He does speak to himself and animals when no one is around. His mother is out of work and the two live in poverty. He hopes to win a $1,000 prize awarded to the winner of a race up the mountain. It is a day of bleak weather conditions and the boy comes upon a car accident. The driver has been killed, but his dog has survived. There is suspense from start to finish, surprising twists and turns, and nail-biting situations. Jennings cleverly intertwines ethical and moral dilemmas to open up discussion around ‘what if’? The reader is invited to consider the limitations and influences on a person whose life may not be characterised as ‘easy’. Series: Different |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Jennings, Paul | Kelly, Geoff | A Different Land |
Allen & Unwin, 2019 | Emigrants Family Friendship Hope Kindness Migration Refugee Resilience |
Primary Secondary |
The story follows the fortunes of Anton, Christopher and their mother Pat who journeyed to a new land in the earlier novel, A Different Boy. The story is told from Christopher’s point of view as the family adjusts to a new life. When their mother Pat gets a job in a country town, Anton is happy but Christopher finds it hard to settle and wants to go home. Once again, Paul Jennings deftly explores themes of guilt and redemption while telling a compelling story, with humour and emotion. This story is best understood by reading the first title in the series, ‘A Different Boy’. Series: Different |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACPPS079 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Gemmill, Stef | Armstrong, Mel | A Home for Luna |
New Frontier Publishing, 2019 | Asylum seekers Emigrants Friendship Kindness Migration Refugees |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
Luna the cat is washed ashore on an island after danger forces her to leave home. Hungry and lonely, Luna meets a penguin on the beach who befriends her. The penguin colony takes Luna into their community. One day a strange boat arrives and a man tries to take Luna away, but the penguins peck at the man, and Luna hisses, scratches and wriggles free. Luna has found a new home where she feels happy and safe. This simple picture book story is aimed at young children to help them understand the trauma of leaving home and country and the challenges of finding a safe, new home and making friends. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACSSU002 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0017 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0024 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACHASSK051 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK109 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Atkins, Clare | Between Us |
Black Ink, 2018 | Asylum seekers Detention centres Emigrants Empathy Family Hope Immigration Immigrants Intolerance Racism Refugees Social justice |
Secondary Upper primary |
Anahita is a teenage Iranian asylum seeker who lives in an Australian detention camp. She is allowed to attend the local secondary school. Her younger brother is insecure and perplexed by all that goes on around him. Their mother is pregnant and distraught because her husband is unable to join her. This young adult novel moves rapidly, revealing various characters’ experiences and personal viewpoints. Readers gain different perspectives on asylum seekers, detention centres and ‘outsiders’ seeking to understand experiences other than their own. Viewpoints shift to a family outside the detention camp. Kenny is a Vietnamese single father who migrated to Australia. His new job is as a guard in the Wickham Point Detention Centre. He meets Anahita and in sympathy with her insecurity, mentions his son, Jono, who attends the local secondary school. When 16-year-old Jono meets 15-year-old Anahita at school, there is a connection but it is one fraught with emotional difficulty. It is unusual to have adults featured so strongly in a novel for young adults. Here it works well to reveal troubling relationships between parents and children and the misconceptions that can occur. Portraying different generations also allows different eras of immigration stories to be told. To add authenticity to this story, the author, of Vietnamese background, undertook extensive research, conducted through interviews, work as a volunteer in Villawood Detention Centre and running activities for asylum seekers in Wickham Point. She also sought advice from an Iranian cultural adviser. There could be no easy ending for this book. Instead, this is a story designed to delve into the difficulties of detainees in detention camps and misconceptions held by those in the Australian community. |
ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACHASSK112 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS058 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACOKFH022 ACDSEH023 ACDSEH143 ACHGK076 ACHGK081 |
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Wilson, Mark | Wilson, Mark | Eureka! A Story of the Goldfields |
Lothian/Hachette Children’s Books, 2019 | Conflict Family Immigrants Migrants Race relations Racism Social justice Tolerance |
Secondary Upper primary |
Historical fiction, when told from a first person perspective, can successfully engage young readers, as the case here. The authentic illustrations, appearing in oil or gouache, capture the Ballarat, Victoria goldfield settlement, the goldminers and their equipment, soldiers and the Australian environment in rich detail. The character of young Catherine is based on an English immigrant who came to Australia when she and her Papa left London for the goldfields. Nine months at sea. Mama dies of typhoid fever. Father and daughter finally arrive, but every gold-mining spot appears taken, until they meet young Chen who offers help. He is a 16-year-old Chinese boy, here alone, hoping one day to bring his mother and sister over from China. He too is based on an historical person, Pan Ah Shin, a teenage boy who emigrated from Canton, China in 1851. There is much prejudice against the Chinese on the goldfields and they are poorly treated. The next day a policeman arrives demanding the family’s license to mine for gold and threatens imprisonment if payment is not made. This picture book features the Ballarat gold miners’ rebellion against the high license fees and the Victorian government’s refusal to grant them land where they work. Tensions continue to build. Peter Lalor, an historical figure and one of the miners, speaks to a gathered crowd and persuades the miners to claim their rights. They build a stockade and refuse to pay the licence fees. The soldiers attack with a devastating loss of life. The back endpapers provide a valuable timeline detailing the build up of tensions between miners and solders, the Eureka Rebellion and the aftermath. Peter Lalor, who was a leader in the rebellion, is later elected to the Victorian Parliament. This book can be compared to Alan Tucker’s, picture book, ‘Rebellion at Eureka’, which offers different characters’ viewpoints while also detailing the Eureka rebellion. |
ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK107 ACHASSK108 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACPPS051 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK140 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACPPS079 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH015 ACDSEH084 ACHGK065 ACHGK067 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Vass, Coral | Huynh, Christina | Grandma’s Treasured Shoes |
National Library of Australia, 2019 | Asylum seekers Family Hope Immigrants Migration Refugees Resilience |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
‘Grandma has oodles and oodles of shoes.’ So begins the author’s lyrical text that sets the tone and captures attention. The story is sensitively told for children at both preschool and older years, and helps them to understand the plight of refugees and to appreciate their contribution to the shaping of Australia. The illustrator is a first generation Australian-born artist of a Vietnamese refugee family. Factual details about international and Australian policies on refugees at the end of the book are a valuable addition to this picture book. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK013 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACSSU002 ACPPS001 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACHASSK030 ACHASSK033 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0017 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK140 |
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Hope, Charles | Illustrated with photographs | Culture |
louie and ted, 2019 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Race relations Social life Respect Tolerance |
Lower primary Primary Upper primary Secondary |
What is culture? The author has taken on the massive task of surveying culture and demonstrating through words and photographs how culture differs yet is similar the world over. Using multiple photographs across single and double page spreads, the author concisely touches on such topics as clothing, holy places, architecture and language plus unexpected topics like gestures and difficult to define words like values, norms and sanctions. Topics include cultural faux pas and high versus low culture. The author attempts to be value-free and, for the most part, succeeds. Where there is room for different perspectives, readers and viewers are encouraged to discuss and question. The glossary of terms is an area where discussion is useful to tease out different cultural attitudes and ideas. ‘Culture ‘is profusely and attractively illustrated with mostly stock photographs from around the world. |
ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK069 ACAVAM110 ACAVAR113 ACPPS037 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACAVAR117 ACPPS051 ACPPS057 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK198 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACAVAR131 ACPPS089 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACHGK081 |
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Pajalic, Amra and Divaroren, Demet editors | Growing up Muslim in Australia: Coming of Age |
Allen & Unwin, 2019 | Cross cultural relations Relationships Respect Social life |
Primary Secondary Upper primary |
Twelve stories told by Australian Muslims explores the challenges of growing up in culturally diverse Australia. The Wide-ranging Muslim experience is revealed in stories of a beauty queen, kickboxer, Rugby League star, lesbian, atheist and more, all with common experiences of life in Australia. The contributors’ profiles are also included. |
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Caswell, Brian | Ottley, Matt | Hyram and B |
Hodder Headline Australia, 2003 | Asylum seekers Compassion Empathy Family Friendship Hope Kindness Language Refugees Resilience |
Primary Secondary Upper primary |
This is a book that is so much more than a story of two bears. It is a beautifully illustrated story of friendship, family, loss and homecoming. Ottley’s illustrations exude a softness and warmth that draws the reader into the story of finding a home. The two bears remember the before, the waiting and finally a new home with a little girl who understands the ‘secret language of bears’. This simple story also reflects the life of refugees and as such is suitable for older readers as they begin to understand that not all people have a safe place to live |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1605 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS079 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Murray, Kirsty | Kids Who Did |
Allen & Unwin, 2019 | Courage History Social justice War |
Secondary Upper primary |
Forty true stories in the biography genre celebrate young people who have ‘protested, prayed, rebelled, saved lives, earned a fortune, lost everything, become world-famous, and/or fought to survive war and oppression’. This is a new edition of ‘Tough Stuff: True Stories of Kids and Courage’. This new edition includes 11 new stories and a new chapter. Included are stories about Olympic champions, human-rights and climate change activists and others. The author states that these stories are ‘about kids who saved lives, came up with big ideas, survived terrible circumstances and believed they could make a difference. Not all of these stories have happy endings, and some of the children are still growing up so their futures are not yet written.’ |
ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACSSU083 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS057 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACSHE100 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACSHE121 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS075 ACPPS077 ACPPS078 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACSHE136 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH016 ACOKFH015 ACOKFH017 ACOKFH019 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH024 ACDSEH023 ACDSEH143 ACHGK065 ACHGK067 ACHGK069 |
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Naitanui, Nic | Anaya, Fatima | Little Nic’s Big Day |
Albert Street Books/Allen & Unwin, 2019 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Language |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
First day at school is always a bit scary for children and so it is for little Nic, who is not at all sure about this new adventure. On the way to school a range of culturally diverse families with their children appear. At school, each child in the class shares their special interest with the class. The children speak Farsi, Greek, French, Fijian, and Malay while a mum and child use sign language to communicate. The author says his inspiration for this story is his childhood when he was terrified of school. His hair and skin are different, and he is tall and shy. Throughout this picture book featuring illustrations and rhyming text, there are a few Fijian words, plus much sharing of cultural differences and interests. Illustrations are bold with cultural differences portrayed in a positive way. |
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Tucker, Alan | Rebellion at Eureka |
Omnibus Books/Scholastic Australia, 2019 | Conflict Cross cultural relations History Intolerance Migrants Race relations Social justice |
Secondary Upper primary |
This historical fiction novel is set in 1854 in the booming goldfields of Ballarat, Victoria. Our young character, Alf, is 13-years-old when he and his mum leave Melbourne and travel by horse and dray to set up their general store in a tent at Ballarat. The goldfields are portrayed as chaotic, dangerous yet exciting too. Alf hears stories of gold dust and hard work but police harassment too. Tensions build and there are talks of rebellion by the miners. Tucker’s main aim is to provide insights into life at the goldfields, who came to the goldfields and why and also to explore reasons behind the Eureka rebellion by the miners. Reasons given are the bullying police, troopers’ violence, and the Victorian government’s unjust treatment of the miners. Most of the characters Tucker writes about existed while others are Tucker’s creation. These characters’ interactions bring the Eureka story alive with the rebellion itself described in detail. A woman and 27 men and are killed by the British redcoats. Five soldiers lose their lives. In the historical notes at the end, Tucker briefly outlines the story of the rebellion at Eureka and the reasons leading up to it. |
ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK107 ACHASSK108 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACHASSK112 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK140 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK197 ACHASSK198 ACPPS073 ACPPS074 ACPPS077 ACPPS079 ACPMP085 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH019 ACDSEH084 ACDSEH091 ACHGK065 ACHGK067 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Ayres, Eddie | Taher, Ronak | Sonam and the Silence |
Allen & Unwin, 2019 | Cultural traditions Intolerance Loss Racial conflict Resilience War |
Lower primary Primary Upper primary |
In Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, Sonam lives in a world that is dark and silent. One day she follows a magical melodious sound to a walled garden, and her world is silent no more. The sound is music, and it lifts her up ‘amongst the stars’ and takes her ‘deeper than the tree roots in the earth’. This lyrical text and fable-like story is based on fact. It is told by well-known musician, author and broadcaster Eddie Ayres. After the triumph of the Taliban in Afghanistan, all forms of music were banned. The story imagines one small girl—Sonam—meeting an old man who defies the ban and plays music. When music is forbidden, that, he says, is 'when we need it most'. From the old man, Sonam learns to play the rubab, a traditional instrument made from the wood of a mulberry tree. The book gives a voice to children who live through war. The story is dedicated by the illustrator to 'all kids experiencing war who will never have a chance to read this book'. |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK069 ACAMUM085 ACAMUR087 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS040 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACSHE062 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACAMUR091 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Guest, Patrick | Eckstrom, Nathaniel | The Dress-up Box |
Little Hare Books, 2018 | Empathy Family Friendship Relationships |
Early childhood Lower primary Primary |
The Frolley family live in a much-beloved house on Sunshine Avenue, which has everything a child loves. It has a frog pond, birdbath, birds, a haunted shed, much-loved neighbours, the Choong family and more. Their new house is just the opposite, but home proves to be ‘where the heart is’. With the help of their dress-up box, the children pursue magical adventures imbued with imagination, family and friendships in this simple picture book story. Lively, imaginative illustrations of the children’s dress ups, coupled with a simple, appealing text, capture the imaginative activities which dispel the heartache and traumas of moving, losing and finding new friends. |
EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELA1428 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELT1580 ACELT1831 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK017 ACSSU002 ACPPS001 ACPPS003 ACPPS004 ACPPS005 ACPPS006 ACPPS007 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACSSU211 ACPPS0015 ACPPS0016 ACPPS0017 ACPPS0018 ACPPS0019 ACPPS0020 ACPPS0022 ACPPS0023 ACPPS0024 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK050 ACHASSK051 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS036 ACPPS037 ACPPS038 ACPPS040 ACPPS041 ACPPS042 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK088 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK113 ACPPS051 ACPPS053 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS059 ACPPS060 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 |
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Foster, Jason K | Hadamar : The House of Shudders |
Big Sky Publishing, 2019 | Family History Intolerance Race relations Racism War |
Secondary | Jason Foster is a history teacher who includes the Holocaust in his curriculum. He discovers Hadamar, an institution where the ‘undesirables’, including the mentally and physically disabled and others, are systematically killed according to Nazi policies. This time and place are the inspiration for the novel. As historical fiction, the focus centres on Ingrid Marchand, a teenage girl with German-French-Senegalese ancestry. She is placed in a psychiatric hospital because of the colour of her skin. Hitler’s policies of racial cleansing made Ingrid’s existence precarious. Adding authenticity to this story, the author uses American military documents, archival footage and interviews. Ingrid is a composite character of the stories of black children in Nazi Germany while the Hadamar staff and the stories told within the narrative are based on real events. Readers should be aware that the novel includes graphic images and detailed passages outlining the cruel torture of many victims of Hadamar. This novel, told in first person, is an emotionally harrowing one requiring a mature readership. |
ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK065 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELA1639 ACELA1640 ACELA1812 ACELA1642 ACELA1643 ACELA1644 ACOKFH022 ACDSEH024 ACDSEH023 ACDSEH143 ACHGK076 ACHGK081 |
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Jennings, Paul | Kelly, Geoff | A Different Boy |
Allen & Unwin, 2018 | Emigrants Family Friendship Hope Kindness Migration Refugee Resilience |
Lower primary Primary Secondary |
The boy, who is never named, hopes for a new life in a new land, having lost his father in the war and his mother who drowned. From the orphanage where he lives, he can see an ocean liner leaving for the New Land. He longs to be aboard, but knows that there is no room for an unaccompanied boy. These are the bones of a simply told story with twists, surprises, and both sad and happy moments. The underlying story is about refugees. The story is intentionally vague as to time and place, so that it can be read and appreciated on many levels and by people with different experiences. This simple but touching story features evocative line and minimal sketches throughout. Here is the story of a young boy, who escapes from an orphanage and successfully stows away on a boat headed for the land of 'sunshine and steaks'. The story is loosely based on the author’s own journey to Australia as a 'ten pound Pom'. Reluctant readers will find the story rewarding and easy to read. Series: Different |
ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACPPS033 ACPPS034 ACPPS035 ACPPS042 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACPPS051 ACPPS054 ACPPS055 ACPPS056 ACPPS060 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK140 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACPPS079 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACPPS089 ACPPS093 ACPPS098 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Zusak, Markus | The Book Thief |
Picador, 2005 | Family Friendship History Hope Loss Racism Refugees War |
Secondary | The time is World War II and the Nazis take Liesel’s father away. Liesel’s mother takes her and her younger brother to find sanctuary for them with a new family. When Liesel retrieves a burning book, it becomes emblematic of Hitler’s destruction of knowledge and life and inspires her to survive. Liesel’s unforgettable story is told through the unusual viewpoint of ‘Death’ as a narrator. The emotional spectrum of this novel includes hope and despair. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH018 ACOKFH021 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH023 ACOKFH024 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Zail, Suzy | The Wrong Boy |
Walker Books Australia, 2012 | Friendship Hope Resilience War |
Upper primary Secondary |
Hanna lives in the concentration camp, Auschwitz. As a gifted pianist, she is ordered to play for the camp commandant. Hanna meets the commandant’s pacifist son and a relationship develops. This story reveals the human side of the Holocaust. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH018 ACOKFH021 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH023 ACOKFH024 |
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Young, Rebecca | Ottley, Matt | Teacup |
Scholastic Australia, 2015 | Hope Refugees Resilience |
Upper primary Secondary |
A young boy has to leave his homeland carrying only a book, a bottle, a blanket and a teacup with earth from where he used to play. In this picture book’s poetic and moving text, the young boy is protected by a tree that grows from the soil in his teacup. He longs for his past while searching the horizon for land where he eventually arrives safely. |
English ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Woodhouse, Jena | Cernak | Metis, the Octopus and the Olive Tree |
Jam Roll Press, 1993 | Cultural traditions Immigrants Loss Migration Social life |
Upper primary | Metis and her family leave their small Greek island for Australia, but Yia Yia, her grandmother, stays behind. The family misses their culture, lifestyle and the all-important Yia Yia with her important story. The heartbreak of leaving family and culture behind lies at the core of this moving story. |
English Geography HASS ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Woodberry, Joan | Rafferty Takes to Fishing |
Parrish, 1959 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Friendship Immigrants |
Upper primary Secondary |
Rafferty is a Yorkshire immigrant to Australia. In this novel, one of three about Rafferty, he learns much about Australian life through a fishing trip. Rafferty, his mates, and his grandfather portray rural Australia. Series: Rafferty |
English Geography HASS ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wood, Fiona | Cloudwish |
Pan Macmillan, 2015 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Family Refugees |
Secondary | Van Uoc Phan is an Australian-born Vietnamese of refugee parents who arrived by boat after experiencing many hardships. Van Uoc recently won a scholarship to a private prestigious secondary school and finds cultural differences at home and at school make life difficult. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1803 ACELT1807 ACELT1812 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACOKFH018 ACOKFH021 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH023 ACOKFH024 |
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Wolfer, Dianne | Simmonds, Brian | Light Horse Boy |
Fremantle Press, 2013 | Family History Relationships War |
Primary Secondary |
In 1914, Jim, aged 17 and his friend, Charlie, leave the Australian outback for life in the Light Horse. Many perspectives including photographs, illustrations, primary sources such as letters provide a realistic insight into this time period and particular experience. Companion work to the author’s Lighthorse Girl. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wolfer, Dianne | Simmonds, Brian | Lighthouse Girl |
Fremantle Press, 2010 | Family Kindness Relationships War |
Primary Upper primary |
At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, 14-year-old Fay Howe lives with her father, the lighthouse keeper on bleak Breaksea Island. Fay knows semaphore and Morse code and responds when the soldiers on the warships signal to her. The soldiers send Fay messages for their loved ones, which she relays for them. After the soldiers depart for the battlefields of Egypt and Gallipoli, Fay continues her conversations with them through letters and postcards. This story uses archival material as source material and interweaves fact with fiction. This story highlights the hardships of those left at home during the war. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wilson, Mark | Wilson, Mark | Never Lose Hope: The Story of Australia’s First School |
Hachette Australia, 2018 | Hope Resilience |
Primary | John is a child convict, transported to New South Wales for stealing a shirt. Starving and alone, he is taken in by Australia's first schoolteacher, Isabella Rosson. There John learns to read and write and becomes a star pupil until he is discovered by the soldiers and again taken away in chains. John never forgets the power of words and always hopes for a better future. This picture book is inspired by the life of convict Isabella Rosson, the first teacher in the colony at Port Jackson, and John Hudson, the youngest First Fleet convict. Wilson’s artwork brings this amazing story to life. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK084 ACHASSK085 ACHASSK086 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK106 ACHASSK107 ACHASSK108 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wilson, Mark | Wilson, Mark | Vietnam Diary |
Hachette, 2013 | Cross cultural relations War |
Primary | Leigh and Jason are brothers, best mates but with differing views on war. Jason is conscripted and sent to Vietnam to fight. Leigh struggles to understand Jason’s choice eventually coming to terms that he is doing what he thinks is right. This picture book covers Jason’s time in the war through letter writing and imaginative artwork. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wilson, Mark | Wilson, Mark | Angel of Kokoda |
Lothian, 2010 | Cross cultural relations War |
Primary | Kari is an orphaned Papua New Guinean boy who encounters an injured Australian soldier. Together they make their way down the Kododa Track. Oil paintings and pencil sketches capture the times and emotions. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wilson, Mark | Wilson, Mark | The Afghanistan Pup |
Hachette, 2014 | Cross cultural relations Empathy History War |
Primary | Combining the story of an Afghani schoolgirl and an Australian soldier, who both love a lost pup. Issues in this picture book include the war in Afghanistan, education of girls, rebuilding war torn areas and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Compassion for those in need features. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wilkinson, Carole | Anelli, Liz | Ten Pound Pom |
Walker Books Australia, 2017 | Family History Immigration Immigrants |
Primary | The author’s family migrated to Australia in 1962 as 'Ten Pound Poms’ when she was 13-years-old. Leaving her teddy bear is one of the emotional issues for both author and reader. Daily life aboard the ship SS Arcadia features along with arriving in Australia and looking ahead. Illustrations in this picture book format add interest and historical details. An explanation of the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme is included. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK084 ACHASSK085 ACHASSK086 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wild, Margaret | Blackwood, Freya | The Treasure Box |
Penguin Australia, 2013 | Family Hope Refugees Resilience War |
Primary Secondary |
When the town and its library is destroyed by the enemy, the family leaves. Peter’s father treasures the library book he had at home, and his dying wish is that Peter must protect this book. When Peter must flee he buries the book under a tree, returning many years later to return the book to a rebuilt library in his old town. Collage artwork in this picture book uses text from Gleitzman’s 'Felix and Zelda' series plus ephemeral objects which can be seen across the landscape, thus capturing the flight of refugees. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK084 ACHASSK085 ACHASSK086 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Wild, Margaret | Vivas, Julie | Let the Celebrations Begin |
Omnibus, 1991 | History Hope Refugees Celebrations Resilience War |
Primary Upper primary Secondary |
The author was inspired to capture an important time in history. She read about a small collection of stuffed toys made by Polish women in the German Belsen concentration camp in World War II. The toys were created for an anticipated celebration and liberation of those imprisoned. It is a topic seemingly impossible to convey in a picture book, yet both author and illustrator have captured the preparations and emotions involved in this momentous occasion. Two historical quotes included in the book authenticate this work of fiction. |
English Geography HASS ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Wild, Margaret | Gamble, Kim | First Day |
Allen & Unwin, 1998 | Cross cultural relations Family Friendship |
Early childhood Primary |
The first day at school features for several children from diverse backgrounds. The day begins before school, getting there, various traumas and humorous moments all feature for kids, mother (also attending school) and teacher. Liberally illustrated picture book with childhood a strong feature. |
English Geography HASS History EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK013 ACELA1443 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACHASSK029 ACHASSK030 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK044 ACHASSK045 ACHASSK046 ACHASSK047 ACHASSK050 ACHASSK051 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wild, Margaret | Blackwood, Freya | The Feather |
Little Hare, 2018 | Family Hope Kindness War |
Upper primary Secondary |
The setting could be post-war, post-apocalyptic or simply one of hard times. Young Maria and Nico find a mysterious giant white feather, which they protect as a sign of future hope. The sparse text, open ending and darkly cinematic full-page images in this picture book will provoke discussion with older children about world events. |
English ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Wild, Ailsa, created by Barr, Briony & Crocetti, Gregory in collaboration with Jeremy Barr | Hutchings, Ben | The Invisible War: A Tale on Two Scales |
Scale Free Network, 2016 | Conflict History War |
Secondary | This is a science-history graphic novel set on the Western Front during World War 1. The story involves a Victorian nurse who supports the troops in the Western front trenches and at the same time views the gut microbes that protect her body from a bout of dysentery. The story is based on scientific and historical facts. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH016 ACOKFH015 ACOKFH017 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH018 ACOKFH021 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH023 ACOKFH024 |
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Wignell, Edel | Bradbury, Catherine | A Gift of Squares |
Hamilton, 1986 | Friendship Migration |
Primary | Emma is 10-years-old when her family move from England to Warradale, a country town in Australia. She is very homesick and lonely. The teacher at her new school is returning to England and the class wish to give her a gift. Emma suggests they make a friendship quilt. With the making of this quilt, Emma finds friendship and belonging. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Whitebeach, Terry | Enadio, Sarafino Wani | Trouble Tomorrow |
Allen & Unwin, 2017 | Detention centres Hope Refugees Resilience War |
Secondary | Based on a true story, Obulejo reveals life for this 16-year-old Sudanese boy who escapes from his war torn country and becomes a refugee in Kenya. His first years in refugee camps reveal extreme hardships until his decision to make a better life for himself through education. The story is one of courage, resilience and hope. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Wheatley, Nadia | Rawlins, Donna | Making My Place: Behind the Scenes of the Television Series |
ABC/HarperCollins, 2010 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Friendship Relationships |
Upper primary Secondary |
This book is a photographic record of the making of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation television series, My Place. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK106 ACHASSK107 ACHASSK108 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH016 ACOKFH015 ACOKFH017 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Wheatley, Nadia | Rawlins, Donna | My Place: The Story of Australia from Now to Then |
Collins Dove, 1987 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Friendship History Relationships |
Upper primary Secondary |
This picture book reveals the story of Australia from 1988 back to 1788 and earlier. The story shows how one small piece of Australia has changed over the years as revealed through the various cultural groups and individuals who lived there. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK106 ACHASSK107 ACHASSK108 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK166 ACHASSK168 ACHASSK175 ACHASSK179 ACHASSK180 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH016 ACOKFH015 ACOKFH017 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH018 ACOKFH021 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH023 ACOKFH024 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Wheatley, Nadia | Greder, Armin | Flight |
Windy Hollow Books, 2015 | Hope Refugees War |
Upper primary Secondary |
A small family of refugees flees across a dangerous and sombre landscape threatened by tanks and bombs in this powerful picture book that ends on a note of hope. |
English Geography HASS ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Wheatley, Nadia | Searle, Ken | Australians All: A History of Growing Up from the Ice Age to the Apology |
Allen & Unwin, 2013 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Friendship Relationships |
Upper primary Secondary |
Universal experiences of children growing up such as making friends, being brave, feeling loved are the same the world over. Based on research into the lives of children, these 80 individual stories of famous people and little known individuals reveal varied cultural traditions over time. Enhanced by historical images and fascinating anecdotes. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 |
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Webster, Allayne L | Paper Planes |
Omnibus Books, 2014 | Cross cultural relations Friendship History Hope Resilience War |
Upper primary Secondary |
Alex is only 11-years-old when he and his family are trapped in Sarajevo during the Bosnian war. He experiences extreme dangers and struggles to survive with his friends from different cultures who stick together and offer support. |
English Geography HASS ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 |
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Wang, Gabrielle | Masciullo, Lucia | Pearlie’s Ghost |
Penguin Australia, 2014 | Friendship History Refugees War |
Upper primary | The time is 1942 and Darwin is under attack. Pearlie tries to save her pets and help the wounded soldiers while hoping to reunite with her friend Naoko. Naoko has problems of a different kind which involve a ghostly mystery. Series: Our Australian Girl |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wang, Gabrielle | Gabrielle Wang | Little Paradise |
Penguin Books, 2010 | Cross cultural relations History Relationships Resilience |
Secondary | This tale is inspired by a true story set in 1943 in Melbourne and Shanghai which involved a forbidden relationship between a Chinese man and an Australian girl. |
English HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH018 ACOKFH021 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH023 ACOKFH024 |
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Wang, Gabrielle | McLean, Andrew | The Lion Drummer |
Penguin Books, 2008 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Hope |
Primary | Lulu is a little Chinese girl who sees a Chinese new year procession. More than anything, she wants to be a lion drummer. Though she is told that girls cannot learn the drums, she goes to the master drummer and asks if she can take lessons from him. He agrees and at the Easter parade, Lulu leads the lion dancers. Series: Aussie Bites |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 |
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Wang, Gabrielle | A Ghost in My Suitcase |
Puffin Books, 2009 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Family |
Upper primary Secondary |
Celeste is 12-years-old when she travels to China to return her mother’s ashes to her homeland. Through her grandmother, she learns cultural traditions, a secret about her father, and befriends her grandmother’s adopted child, Ting Ting. |
English Geography HASS ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Wang, Gabrielle | Rippin, Sally and Abos, Regine | The Race for the Chinese Zodiac |
Black Dog Books, 2010 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Family |
Upper primary | In this Chinese Zodiac picture book, a doctor finds a wounded sheep and restores its health. When a monster threatens the village and demands a child from each family for sacrifice, the sheep turns itself into a girl and volunteers to go. Using her wits, she drives the monster away. When it returns, the sheep sacrifices itself, and both turn into a rock formation that exists today. |
English ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 |
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Wang, Gabrielle | The Garden of Empress Cassia |
Puffin, 2002 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Empathy Social life |
Primary | Mimi is 12-years-old and experiences bullying at school as well as embarrassment about her Chinese background and her family’s traditions that make her different. A sympathetic teacher, aware of her artistic talent, gives her magical pastels lending this story a fantasy element. Understanding a child’s difficulties in embracing two cultures underlies the story. |
English Geography HASS ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 |
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Walsh, Amanda | Walsh, Amanda | The Mysterious Hubbub |
Houghton Mifflin Australia, 1990 | Peace Refugees War |
Primary | This thought provoking book is set on a 17th century passenger ship that sails close to the Frozen Sea, where a fierce battle occurred. Words and sounds of the battle are frozen in the air. The spring warmth is starting to melt the ice, releasing the words into the air in a cacophony of frightening sounds. The last words in this picture book go off like fireworks leaving only one word in the sky, “Peace”. |
English ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 |
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Walker, Bic | Walker, Bic | A Safe Place to Live |
Bic Walker, 2011 | Family Hope Refugees Resilience |
Primary | Bic Walker escaped with her family from Vietnam as a refugee in 1979 when she was three-years-old. In simple and direct language, she writes and illustrates this true story of her escape from war to a new home in Australia. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACHASSK087 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Vondra, Josef | No-Name Bird |
Puffin, 2000 | Family Hope History Resilience |
Secondary | Set in 1970’s East Timor, the story reveals the relationship between 14-year-old Jose and his elderly uncle. Together they face many challenges due to the political situation in East Timor at that time. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Von Leven, Elizabeth | Lisle, Ron | The Search |
Lutheran Publishing House, 1990 | Friendship Hope Loss Refugees Resilience |
Upper primary Secondary |
This adventure story features Hung Ly, a Vietnamese boy living on an Australian farm. He runs away to Melbourne to find his mother. Gemma, the farmer's daughter, decides to come along. Their friendship deepens as their quest reaches a dramatic end. By then Hung Ly has found himself involved in another important search. The novel is written to promote an understanding of the Christian message. |
English Geography HASS ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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van Os, Joanne | Castaway |
Penguin Random House Australia, 2007 | Detention centres Immigrants Racism Refugees |
Secondary | Brothers Sam and George are 13 and 11 years of age. They live at Brumby Plains, a buffalo station in Australia’s Northern Territory. They discover a small child, who is the only survivor of a shipwreck. The child is also an illegal immigrant by Australian Government regulations, and their Uncle Mungo has strong views about refugees. The boys hide the child while they work out what to do as they battle racism and the Australian Government’s policy on putting immigrants in detention centres. Series: Brumby Plains, book 2 |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Tolbert, Steve | Stepping back |
Longman, 1996 | Family Refugees Resilience War |
Secondary | Somaly is a 16-year-old Cambodian girl who has lived with her mother on the west coast of Tasmania since she was a toddler. Somaly's mother was a nurse in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia when she gave birth to Somaly. When Somaly's father is killed by a land mine, Somaly and her mother leave the country for Tasmania. Juxtaposed with Somaly's life in Tasmania is the life of Keo, a traumatised Cambodian who works as a hospital orderly on the Thai border. About the time Keo is informed that he'll finally be allowed to return to Cambodia, Somaly's mother in Tasmania finds out she has MS. She has yearned to return to her country and decides she must do it soon. So Keo from the Thai border, and Somaly and her mother from Tasmania, return to a war-ravaged country. |
English Geography HASS ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Tolbert, Steve | Channeary |
Longman, 1991 | Conflict Friendship Migration Racism Refugees |
Secondary | The time is during the Cambodian-Vietnamese Conflict between 1977 and 1991. Channeary must flee for her life when the Khmer Rouge attack her small Cambodian fishing village. She finally reaches safety in a Buddhist monastery in Thailand. There she is offered a chance to come to Tasmania, a new land and a new home, both unknown. Series: Rave |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Tonkin, Rachel | Tonkin, Rachel | What was the war like, Grandma? Emmy Remembers World War II |
William Heinemann Australia, 1995 | Empathy History Social life War |
Primary | Rachel tells this story of raising her children during World War II in Port Melbourne. She recalls blackouts, sandbagging and more. Although the war was far away, this story helps the reader experience the times. Illustrations in this picture book generate interest and authenticity. A strong community spirit underlies this appealing reflection on wartimes. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Thompson, Colin | Various illustrators | Dust: Save the Children |
ABC Books, 2007 | Conflict Empathy Hope Kindness Refugees War |
Upper primary Secondary |
Fourteen illustrators confront the plight of children in Third World countries suffering from starvation, environmental disasters and lack of living spaces. The brief text & haunting images in this picture book are a stimulus for discussion. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Thompson, Colin | Pignataro, Anna | The Staircase Cat |
Hodder Headline, 1998 | Family Hope Resilience War |
Upper primary Secondary |
In this picture book, a cat lives a solitary life in his home, damaged by war. His family and all the villagers have left. Patiently the cat waits, hoping his family and the villagers will return and homes will be rebuilt. In a heart-warming conclusion, his family does return after years away, and they are happily reunited. |
English HASS ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Thomason, Mark | Moonrunner |
Scholastic Australia, 2008 | Cross cultural relations Hope Migration Resilience |
Upper primary Secondary |
Set in the 1890s twelve-year-old Casey has moved to Australia from America. He misses the wild mustangs and discovers a herd of brumbies that change his life. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 |
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Thiele, Colin | The Valley Between |
Rigby, 1981 | Cross cultural relations Family Friendship Racial conflict |
Upper primary Secondary |
This book is set in country South Australia in the 1920s in a German speaking farming community. Benno has left school to work on the farm and finds himself caught between two cultures. A humorous story of family and adventure. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 |
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Thieberger, Gitta | Courtney, Maria | The Magic Doll |
Gitta Thieberger, 2004 | Friendship Immigrants Refugees War |
Primary | In this picture book, a young girl flees from her unnamed country with her mother and her doll because of war. They become refugees in another unspecified country and her magic doll helps her make friends, heal the sick, and bring food to herself and her mother. The author was a refugee from Czechoslovakia who fled to Russian Siberia. |
English HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK084 ACHASSK085 ACHASSK086 |
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Temple, Kate and Temple, Jol | Baynton, Terri Rose | Room on Our Rock: There Are Two Sides to Every Story |
Scholastic Press, 2018 | Immigrants Kindness |
Early childhood Lower primary |
Two seals are sitting on a rock. When others need shelter, do they share it? This book shows there are two sides to every story. A clever picture book has one story that can be read two different ways. When read from front to back, the seals believe there is definitely no room on their rock for others. But when the book is read from back to front, the seals welcome others to shelter on their rock. A heart warming story about sharing and compassion. |
English Geography HASS History EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1426 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACELA1443 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACHASSK029 ACHASSK030 ACHASSK032 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK087 |
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Tan, Shaun | Tan, Shaun | Sketches from a Nameless Land: The Art of the Arrival |
Hachette Australia, 2010 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Immigration Relationships |
Primary Upper primary Secondary |
Shaun Tan describes the origins of his book The Arrival about immigrants arriving in Australia. In this book Tan explores his early research, concept sketches and developing his final artwork. |
English ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Tan, Shaun | Tan, Shaun | The Arrival |
Hachette Australia, 2010 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Empathy Family Friendship Immigration Relationships |
Primary Upper primary Secondary |
This is a wordless graphic novel of 96pp that explores the experiences of a man who leaves family behind and arrives in an unfamiliar and mysterious land. The land has strange cultural traditions and unfamiliar creatures. He gradually discovers a new life through support from others. This work is viewed as a modern day classic speaking to all cultures. |
English ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Syred, Celia | Dick, Astra Lacis | Baker’s Dozen |
Angus & Robertson, 1969 | Emigrants Family Hope Resilience |
Upper primary Secondary |
Charlotte Cosgrove, nicknamed ‘Charley’, and her family emigrate to Australia from Ireland in 1864. After a short time in Sydney, they move to Boanyoo and there find happiness. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK106 ACHASSK107 ACHASSK108 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 Upper primary Secondary |
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Sutton, Chris | Cunningham, Walter | Beginnings |
Collins, 1979 | Immigrants Migration Racism Resilience |
Primary | Aco and his family have migrated to Australia from Yugoslavia and he is finding it difficult to settle into school due to his lack of English. He dreads having to move schools but his new school is quite different. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK084 ACHASSK085 ACHASSK086 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Sunderland, Alan | Refugee: The Diary of Ali Ismail, Woomera, 2001-2002 |
Scholastic Australia, 2006 | Asylum seekers Detention centres Hope Refugees Resilience |
Secondary | Afghanistan is a country of great danger where the Taliban seeks young boys to join their army. Ali’s family gathers money to send Ali out of the country to safety in Germany, but his leaking boat is bound for Australia. He ends up in Woomera where school is a possibility in Adelaide, but he lands back in Woomera after breaking his temporary visa status. The plight of refugees pervades the book. |
English Geography HASS ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Starke, Ruth | Nips XI |
Lothian Books, 2000 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Friendship |
Upper primary Secondary |
Spinner, the coach of the Nips XI, an all ethnic cricket team, tries to teach the boys about cricket, its traditions and values as they try to express themselves at their school’s Multicultural Day. |
English ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Starke, Ruth | Hannaford, Robert | My Gallipoli |
Working Title Press, 2015 | Loss Peace Racial conflict War |
Upper primary Secondary |
This nonfiction picture book features fictional accounts of the thousands of men from 16 nations that fought, survived, were injured and died in the eight months of the Gallipoli Peninsula occupation in 1915. Different voices speak about their own experiences and stories. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH016 ACOKFH015 ACOKFH017 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Starke, Ruth | Kennett, David | Armistice |
Working Title Press/HarperCollins, 2018 | History Peace War |
Upper primary Secondary |
Told in the words of those who lived through the experience, this is the story of the ‘Great War’ in Europe between 1914 and 1918 in which many countries participated, including Australia. When Germany was defeated, Britain, France, Italy and the United States gathered to create the Treaty of Versailles to ensure peace, determine reparations to be paid by Germany and ways to prevent future wars. These stories are told in the words of soldiers, military leaders, heads of countries, civilians and children who lived during these times. These personal responses recreate the time, place and people involved in war and its impact. Notes at the back of the book identify the people involved and their roles. Endpapers reveal maps of Europe in 1914 and 1925. This is a unique approach to presenting world history for the young in the form of a picture book combined with graphic novel approaches. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH016 ACOKFH015 ACOKFH017 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Starke, Ruth | Holfeld, Greg | An Anzac Tale |
Working Title Press, 2015 | Conflict History War |
Primary Upper primary Secondary |
Using a graphic novel format, this historical war story features anthropomorphic Australian and New Zealand animals to reveal the terrible experiences of soldiers at Gallipoli. A timeline, historical notes and an accessible format introduce this conflict to younger readers. |
English HASS ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 |
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Stanley, Elizabeth | Stanley, Elizabeth | The Deliverance of Dancing Bears |
University of Western Australia Press, 1994 | Empathy Hope Social justice |
Upper primary | This contemporary fable told in picture book format and set in Turkey, is a lyrical story with deeply moving illustrations about freedom, poverty and oppression. Yusuf buys a bear, determined to set it free. Until now the bear’s only life has been living in a cage by night and dancing for the public by day. |
English ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 |
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Stafford, Lilian | King, Stephen Michael | Amelia Ellicott’s Garden |
Margaret Hamilton Books, 2000 | Cross cultural relations Empathy Friendship Relationships |
Early childhood Primary Upper primary |
Elderly Amelia Ellicot lives alone, next door to a block of flats. She loves her garden and her chickens and wishes she could show them to someone. The people in the flats have moved to the neighbourhood from various countries. Looking down on Amelia’s garden they wish they too could share Amelia’s garden. When a terrible storm destroys Amelia’s garden, her neighbours come to her aid and so begin friendships and belonging in this moving picture book. |
English Geography HASS History EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 ACELA1426 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK013 ACELA1443 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACHASSK029 ACHASSK030 ACHASSK032 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK044 ACHASSK045 ACHASSK046 ACHASSK047 ACHASSK050 ACHASSK051 |
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Spence, Eleanor | Miranda Going Home |
Dove Communications, 1985 | Friendship Refugees Resilience Loss Peace |
Secondary | Miranda is brought up in the Middle East, a child of Roman and Jewish parents. When orphaned, she is sent to live with her Jewish grandparents. She badly wants to return 'home' but through her experiences as a refugee and her friendship with Jeshua, she finds peace. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Smith, Mark | Wilder Country |
Text Publishing Company, 2017 | Friendship Hope Refugees Resilience |
Secondary | The sequel to The Road to Winter, finds the three main characters Finn, Kas and Willow desperately trying to find Rose’s abducted baby. Underlying the story is the darker theme of the plight of asylum seekers within Australia and those who seek to be the dominant culture. The Winter series is a fast read and a compelling story of survival and triumph against adversity. Series: Winter, book 2 |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH018 ACOKFH021 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH023 ACOKFH024 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Smith, Mark | The Road to Winter |
Text Publishing Company, 2016 | Friendship Hope Refugees Resilience |
Secondary | This adventure thriller is set in a future Australia, after a virus has killed many people. Finn and his dog Rowdy survive due to their isolation in the countryside. When they meet Rose, a ‘siley’ (refugee) who is fleeing a gang while trying to find her younger sister, they band together in a fast-paced survival story. Series: Winter, book 1 |
English Geography HASS ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1803 ACELT1807 ACELT1812 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Simons, Moya | Let Me Whisper You My Story |
Angus & Robertson/HarperCollins, 2010 | Empathy Family History Hope War |
Upper primary Secondary |
Rachel is a young German Jewish girl who survives the Holocaust when her father advises her not to speak. There is a focus on those who support and hide the Jews. Other Holocaust survivors share harrowing experiences when together at an English orphanage in hopes of locating family members after the War is over. The emotional content is believable and creates great empathy. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 |
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Siers, Robyn & Tregoning-Lawrence | Forever Yours: Stories of Wartime, Love and Friendship |
Department of Veterans Affairs in association with the Australian War Memorial, 2011 | History Hope Loss Resilience War |
Upper primary Secondary |
Personal love experiences of men and women in several wars are told through many genres including journals, postcards, telegrams, letters, interviews and illustrations. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH016 ACOKFH015 ACOKFH017 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH018 ACOKFH021 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH023 ACOKFH024 |
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Siers, Robyn & Walker, Carlie | Ancestry: Stories of Multicultural Anzacs |
Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015 | Cross cultural relations History War |
Secondary | Here are stories of individuals and families from a range of cultural backgrounds who served with Australian units in World War I. There are referrals to the Australian War Memorial's collection of private recordings, photographs, works of art and relics. Series: Century of Service |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH016 ACOKFH015 ACOKFH017 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Shirvington, Jessica | Robertson, Claire | Just the Way We Are |
HarperCollins, 2015 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Family Relationships |
Lower primary | This light-hearted picture book celebrates families of different shapes and sizes. Each child’s family is made up of different cultures and compositions. Jack lives with his Mum. Izzy is part of a foster family. Henry’s parents are separated. Chiara has two Dads and Anna and her parents live with her Grandpa. The conclusion is that each family is perfect just the way they are. |
English EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 EYLF5 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 |
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Serov, Banafsheh | Under a Starless Sky: A Family’s Escape from Iran |
Hachette Livre, 2008 | History Family Refugees War |
Secondary | Written for a general readership, but accessible by young people, this biography is about Banafsheh’s parents who supported the Iranian revolution, but found that a religious regime created war. The biography tells of their escape from the Khomenini regime while detailing a country much changed. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Sedunary, Michael | Emmerichs, Bern | The Startling Story of Lachlan Macquarie: Founding Father or Failure? |
Berbay Publishing, 2017 | Conflict Cross cultural relations History |
Upper primary Secondary |
This is a story of Australia’s Colonial history and that of Lachlan Macquarie as the Governor of New South Wales. His story also includes how Australia’s society developed and ongoing social issues such as the emergence of cultural diversity. Macquarie’s achievements and weaknesses are outlined including his behaviour towards the Australian Aborigines. Some individuals in important positions had convict backgrounds, adding interest. Readers are encouraged to question the ideas prevalent at the time. In this picture book, the images are produced on porcelain tile and are highly detailed and appealing. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK106 ACHASSK107 ACHASSK108 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACOKFH016 ACOKFH015 ACOKFH017 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Searle, Rick | Butterfly Island |
ABC Books, 1986 | Conflict Family Loss Refugees |
Upper primary Secondary |
Charlie and his children live on and protect Butterfly Island in the Barrier Reef. When a 14-year-old Vietnamese refugee boy becomes entangled in the family business while searching for his parents, who are boat people and presumed lost at sea, trouble starts. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 |
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Schumann, John | Smith, Craig | I Was Only Nineteen |
Allen & Unwin, 2014 | Friendship History Loss War |
Upper primary Secondary |
The author captures his experiences of the Vietnam War in this well-known song revealed in a picture book format. It tells of the hardships and how war changes both those away at war and those left at home. Fear, pain, loss and suffering are all revealed in both words and images. |
English HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Scholes, Katherine | Wong, David | The Blue Chameleon |
Hill of Content, 1989 | Family Loss Migrants Refugees Resilience |
Upper primary Secondary |
Bene Ish-Maher, a young Arabic migrant boy, living in Australia, searches for the truth about his Sahara Desert past. He discovers he is a survivor of an ancient desert clan. Bene goes on an epic journey to Antarctica to find his lost twin brother and discover his past. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK166 ACHASSK168 ACHASSK175 ACHASSK179 ACHASSK180 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 |
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Scholes, Katherine | Ingpen, Robert | Peacetimes |
Hill of Content, 1989 | Conflict Peace Respect Tolerance |
Primary Upper primary |
What is peace? What is the difference between wants and needs? This beautifully illustrated picture book shows the struggles for peace. |
English ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 |
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Saxby, Claire | Harris, Wayne | Bird to Bird |
Black Dog Books, 2018 | History Kindness Resilience |
Primary Upper primary |
This picture book is a story that charts the beginning of a tree as its seed is carried by a bird. The tree is felled and the timber is used over its lifetime until it is recycled into a bunks for convict ships travelling to Australia. This story of nature, history, recycling and art features a lyrical, easy to read aloud text. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK084 ACHASSK085 ACHASSK086 ACHASSK087 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK106 ACHASSK107 ACHASSK108 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Savvides, Irini | Willow Tree and Olive |
Hodder Headline Australia, 2001 | Cross cultural relations Family Racial identity Resilience |
Secondary | Olive Alexandropoulos is in her last year of secondary school and enjoying it with her friend Kerry. She has an underlying problem due to sexual abuse trauma in her childhood, which she has forgotten. This makes her deeply insecure. Her parents hope to help by sending her to Greece to be with her relatives, where she resolves her insecurity and feels pride in both her Australian and Greek culture. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Savvides, Irini | A Marathon of Her Own: The Diary of Sophia Krikonis, Melbourne, 1956 |
Scholastic Press, 2004 | Family Migration Racism Resilience |
Upper primary Secondary |
Sophia leaves post-war Crete with her mother and brother hoping for a better life in Australia. Once in Australia, she is challenged, struggling to learn English and labelled a 'reffo' at school. Her spirits remain high through her supportive family and her talent for running. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 |
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Sami, Osamah | Good Muslim Boy |
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2015 | Cross cultural relations Family Immigrants Social life |
Upper primary Secondary |
This memoir features Osamah, a 13-year-old refugee of the Iran-Iraq war. He is poor and in trouble with the police. He and his family immigrate to Australia where his father is a lead cleric in Melbourne. Osamah tries to be a good Muslim boy but the temptations of Australian society lead him astray from what is expected of him. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Rushby, Pamela | Lizzie and Margaret Rose |
Omnibus Books, 2016 | Cross cultural relations History Immigrants War |
Upper primary | The time is London in 1940. Ten-year-old Margaret Rose survives an air raid, but her family home is destroyed. She is sent on a long sea voyage to Townsville, Queensland to live with her aunt and 11-year-old cousin Lizzie who makes the adjustment to a new country and way of life hard. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Rippin, Sally | Rippin, Sally | Speak Chinese, Fang Fang! |
Omnibus Books, 1996 | Cross cultural relations Family Friendship Social life |
Early childhood Primary |
Fang Fang was born in China but came to Australia when very young and remembers very little of her home. Her family retains Chinese traditions, but Fang Fang rejects these until her cousin Lily shows respect for them in this picture book. |
English Geography HASS History EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 ACELA1426 ACELT1575 ACELT1783 ACHASSK011 ACHASSK012 ACHASSK013 ACHASSK014 ACHASSK015 ACHASSK016 ACELA1443 ACELA1453 ACELT1582 ACELT1584 ACHASSK028 ACHASSK029 ACHASSK030 ACHASSK032 ACELA1460 ACELA1462 ACELT1587 ACELT1589 ACELT1591 ACELT1593 ACHASSK044 ACHASSK045 ACHASSK046 ACHASSK047 ACHASSK050 ACHASSK051 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK087 |
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Rippin, Sally | Masciullo, Lucia | A Lesson for Lina |
Penguin, 2013 | Cross cultural relations Conflict Family Friendship |
Primary Upper primary |
The time is 1956 after the Melbourne Olympics. Lina discovers some of the Hungarian athletes are hiding in Melbourne rather than returning to their homeland where there is fighting. Inspired by these stories of persecution, Lina writes about her father who fled Italy because of political persecution. Her teacher secretly sends it to the Age newspaper. When Lina and her father are pleasantly surprised, Lina feels proud of her family heritage. Series: Our Australian Girl |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK084 ACHASSK085 ACHASSK086 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Rippin, Sally | Rippin, Sally | Fang Fang’s Chinese New Year |
Omnibus Books, 1996 | Celebrations Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Friendship |
Early childhood Primary |
This picture book is a story of celebration and culture. Fang Fang was born in China, but is now Australian. Her mother asks her to invite her friend, Lisa, to their Chinese New Year celebrations. Fang Fang worries that Lisa may not enjoy herself or like the celebrations. Lisa samples all the different foods, learns to use chopsticks, and watches the parade and fireworks. 'That was fantastic,' says Lisa. |
English Geography HASS History EYLF1 EYLF2 EYLF3 EYLF4 ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Rippin, Sally | Just One Wish |
Puffin, 2009 | Cross cultural relations Immigrants Resilience Tolerance |
Primary | Penny, a girl from Shanghai, travels to Australia to live with her grandmother, and feels alienated from her culture. This is a story about overcoming adversity, acceptance and tolerance. Series: Aussie Chomps |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Rawlins, Donna | Potter, Heather and Jackson, Mark | Waves: For Those Who Come Across the Sea |
Black Dog Books, 2018 | Family Hope Immigrants Refugees Resilience |
Primary Upper primary |
In this picture book, children and their families leave their various homelands around the world, travelling by boat to seek a new life in Australia. Spanning 50,000 years to the present, in each of these brief 15 stories, a child recounts their experiences. The illustrations capture the various cultures and boats from different time periods. The sense of hope for a new life along with a sense of uncertainty and underlying resilience of families offers readers a positive and informative experience. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK106 ACHASSK107 ACHASSK108 ACHASSK109 ACHASSK110 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Pung, Alice | Unpolished Gem |
Black Inc Publishing, 2006 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Family Immigrants |
Secondary | Alice Pung's memoir traces her family fleeing to Australia from the killing fields of Cambodia in the time of the Khmer Rouge. Her family kept Cambodian traditions alive in their daily lives, and Alice was torn between these and the Australian way of life. The author reveals the trials of adjusting to new and different cultural traditions. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Pung, Alice | Masciullo, Lucia | Marly Walks on the Moon |
Penguin Random House, 2016 | Cross cultural relations Family Immigrants Intolerance Racism |
Primary Upper primary |
Vietnamese refugee Marly has settled into Australia but now there is a new baby and no-one has time for Marly any more. Life for a relatively new migrant to Australian in the 1980s features. Series: Our Australian Girl |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK087 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Pung,Alice | Masciullo, Lucia | Marly and the goat |
Penguin, 2015 | Cross cultural relations Immigrants Family Intolerance Racism |
Primary Upper primary |
Marly's grandparents immigrate from Vietnam to Marly's home in Australia. They try to teach her their traditional ways of the life but when her grandfather brings home a goat, their Australian neighbours complain. Marly and her grandparents deal with racism and intolerance. Series: Our Australian Girl |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK087 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Pung, Alice | Masciullo, Lucia | Marly’s Business |
Penguin Random House, 2015 | Conflict Cross cultural relations Friendship Refugees Resilience |
Primary Upper primary |
Vietnamese refugee Marly has settled into her new school but wants a job to earn money. Marley’s adventures as she is torn between her old world and her new world illustrate what it was like in 1983 for Vietnamese refugees. Series: Our Australian Girl |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1475 ACELT1594 ACELT1596 ACELT1599 ACHASSK063 ACHASSK064 ACHASSK065 ACHASSK067 ACHASSK068 ACHASSK069 ACELA1487 ACELA1498 ACELT1602 ACELT1603 ACELT1605 ACHASSK087 ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Pung,Alice | Masciullo, Lucia | Meet Marly, our Australian girl |
Penguin, 2015 | Cross cultural relations Family Friendship Refugees |
Primary Upper primary |
Marley is 10-years-old, a boat refugee from Saigon. The time is 1983 in Sunshine, Melbourne. Marly wants to fit in with Australian ways, but when her cousins come to stay, she suffers from being teased by her school friends. Marley struggles with doing the right thing or going along with her friends. Series: Our Australian Girl |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1500 ACELA1502 ACELT1608 ACELT1609 ACELT1610 ACELT1612 ACHASSK111 ACHASSK112 ACELA1515 ACELA1518 ACELT1613 ACELT1614 ACHASSK134 ACHASSK135 ACHASSK136 ACHASSK137 ACHASSK138 ACHASSK139 ACHASSK140 ACHASSK141 |
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Pung, Alice | Laurinda |
Black Ink Books, 2014 | Cross cultural relations Empathy Immigration Racism Intolerance Respect |
Secondary | Lucy Lin is 15-years-old, born to parents who immigrated to Australia by boat from Vietnam, though both of are of Chinese background. They now live in a Melbourne suburb. Lucy’s mother sews clothes in their garage, while her father works night shifts at a carpet factory. They struggle to get ahead. Lucy gains a scholarship to a prestigious girls college, Laurinda, where she objects to the girls’ play for power and unfair treatment of others. The novel treats topics such as racial prejudice, the perception and treatment of lower class families, and respecting and understanding different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Underlying the story is the theme of abuse of power and those who are determined to work against it. Lucy’s strength of character comes through and generates great empathy from her readers. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACOKFH018 ACOKFH021 ACOKFH022 ACOKFH023 ACOKFH024 |
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Pung, Alice | Growing up Asian in Australia |
Black Ink Books, 2008 | Cross cultural relations Cultural traditions Respect Social life |
Secondary | Alice Pung collected these stories written by Asian-Australians who reveal their personal experiences with style, humour and strength. Leaving home, coming out and finding one’s place in the world and cultural displacement are all revealed from insiders’ perspectives. |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 |
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Powers, J L | Amina: Through My Eyes |
Allen & Unwin, 2013 | Family History Hope War |
Secondary | Amina lives on the edges of Mogadishu with her family in their damaged home. Her father is arrested because his art is censored and her brother is kidnapped and forced to become a soldier in Somalia's war. Although her mother and grandmother are still with her, Amina feels vulnerable and abandoned. She secretly creates her own artwork in the streets and on derelict buildings to give herself hope. Her artwork explodes into Mogadishu's underground world, providing a voice for people all over the city who hope for a better future. Series: Through My Eyes |
English Geography HASS History ACELA1528 ACELA1529 ACELT1619 ACELT1621 ACELT1622 ACELT1803 ACHASSK186 ACHASSK188 ACHASSK189 ACHASSK190 ACHASSK191 ACHASSK192 ACELA1540 ACELA1541 ACELT1626 ACELT1627 ACELT1628 ACELT1807 ACOKFH009 ACOKFH010 ACHGK049 ACHGK052 ACHGK054 ACHGK058 ACELA1550 ACELA1551 ACELT1663 ACELT1771 ACELT1634 ACELT1635 ACHGK064 ACHGK065 ACHGK066 ACHGK067 ACHGK068 ACHGK069 ACELA1563 ACELA1564 ACELA1565 ACELT1639 ACELT1640 ACELT1812 ACELT1642 ACELT1643 ACELT1644 ACHGK070 ACHGK071 ACHGK077 ACHGK078 ACHGK079 |
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Porter, James G | The Sacred Tree |
Rigby Australia, 1982 | Cultural traditions Family Racial conflict Social life |
Primary | Set in the 1870s when a family went into the New Zealand bush. James cut down a sacred totara tree and the Maoris turned against the family. Was there a way for James’ children to pacify the god of the forest? |
English Geography HASS ACELA1475 |