The Schoolmaster’s Daughter

The Schoolmaster’s Daughter by Jackie French (Angus and Robertson) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN 97814607577710

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Reading this well-written, gripping, and fast-paced book, one can see why Jackie French’s writings have been acclaimed over the years and have won many awards.

Drawing on her own family history, this is a story from French about education in colonial Australia - and how women once had to fight for their right to it. Set it 1901, the first year of Federation, it begins with a shipwreck as teenager Hannah and her family, the Gilberts, head to a new home in north-eastern Australia. Hannah's father has a new post as the schoolmaster in school there, where the school's wealthy patron, a sugar planter called Mr Harris, will give the family a life of comfort and the best society.

Having managed to survive the shipwreck, the family is rescued by a Pacific Islander youth, Jamie, who takes them to his white mother, Mrs Zebediah who welcomes them. She and Jamie are pariahs in this racist society, but Hannah and her mother become fast friends when Hannah’s mother goes to their home regularly to teach Hannah, Jamie and Mrs Zebediah. Later, when he younger brother, Angus, is taken by their mother to Sydney for an operation, Hannah spends many happy hours with Jamie, both of them reading and becoming closer friends.

​Secrets lurk in this subtropical paradise. Mr Harris's fortune is built on slavery and the whip. And the new Federal government's first law demands that all Pacific islanders - even those born in Australia - be deported. If Mr Harris learns of the secret school that Hannah's mother is running, it will mean ruin, violence, and possibly even death.

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Hannah and Jamie must fight for Jamie's right to stay in the land he loves, and for their rights to education and equality. The question is: can the friendship and love of two young people win against such prejudice and power? Will Hannah ever make it to university and to fulfill her hopes of becoming a poet?

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Based on the lives of Jackie French's great-grandparents and grandmothers who taught - and fought - for equal education and the rights of all Australians, no matter what their background or the colour of the skin, this story shows us how the bravery and the battles of the past can give us courage for the challenges of today.

This book for readers 11+ years, is highly recommended.

Eloise and the Bucket of Stars

Eloise and the Bucket of Stars by Janeen Brian

Orphaned as a baby, Eloise Pail yearns for a family. Instead, she lives a lonely life trapped in an orphanage and made miserable by the cruel Sister Hortense. Befriended by the village blacksmith, Eloise soon uncovers some strange secrets of yesteryear and learns that something terrible may be about to happen to the village. As troubles and dangers mount, she must learn who to trust and choose between saving the village or belonging to a family of her own. Unless something truly magical happens...

 

The title is mid-grade, historical, magic realism aged at readers 9+ years. It’s described as:

·       A powerful tale of how magic weaves its way into the real world.

·       Explores themes of belonging, what it takes to be a friend and what constitutes a family.

LINKS:

https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Eloise-and-the-Bucket-of-Stars-9781760651879

https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Eloise-and-the-Bucket-of-Stars-9781760652463  (e-book edition)

www.janeenbrian.com   Available online and in all good bookshops.

The Blue Cat

The Blue Cat by Ursula Dubosarsky (Allen and Unwin) PB RRP $19.99

ISBN 9781760292294

Reviewed by Daniela Andrews

‘“If that cat could speak,” she said, rolling her eyes to the ceiling, “imagine the stories he would tell.”

Personally, I felt I would rather not know.’

The blue cat appeared around town about the same time as Ellery did, according to the narrator, Columba. Ellery is a new child at her school, a European refugee who doesn’t (or doesn’t want to) speak. The blue cat is thought to have come from one of the navy ships at the wharf. Was it tossed overboard, or did it flee? Columba and her next-door-neighbours, who have befriended the cat, can only guess at the cat’s background as they quietly contemplate the atrocities it has probably seen. (‘… His body shakes when he’s asleep with secret anger dark and deep.’)

The mysterious blue cat disappears after hearing the blast of noisy sirens for the practice air raid. Columba bands together with Ellery, and her resourceful classmate Hilda, to search the streets of Sydney. But as the story transcends into a haunting alter-reality, we are left to ponder whether Columba is searching for a blue cat … or whether she’s searching inside herself for the answers to the meaning of the war.

Award-winning Dubosarsky combines her lyrical style with historical documents to tell this fascinating, fairy-tale like story of the friendship between a boy and a girl in Sydney, 1942. Her writing beautifully captures the innocence of children caught up in a war, starkly contrasted, for example, against a documented government order for ‘Enemy Aliens’ or a black and white photograph of Hitler at the Eiffel Tower.

The story targets 10–14 year-olds but will likely appeal to a wider readership, especially lovers of literary historical fiction. This powerful reflection on war will settle quietly in your heart and linger, long after the final page.

My Australian Story: Convict Girl

My Australian Story: Convict Girl by Chrissie Michaels (Scholastic Press)

PB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-015-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Convicted for theft, young Mary Beckworth is transported in 1801, with her mother, to Australia. A spirited girl, Mary is determined to make the best of her new life as a convict, whatever obstacles it may bring. Working first on Quaker's Row sorting fleece, then as a nanny for Judge Atkins, and finally as an assistant to Commander Baudin on the French exploration ship the Géographe, Mary overcomes her problems with bravery, level-headed decisions and a warm heart. She is an interesting and enjoyable character to spend time with.

Whilst not ignoring the harsh realities of convict life at this time, the story does not dwell on them. It focuses rather, on the hope and possibilities of Mary's life, making it a story which is perfectly accessible for readers from middle primary school and up. Mary’s convict years are during a time of great exploration and expeditions, the establishment of the growing colony in New South Wales, and the occasional convict uprising.  This is an exciting part of our Australian history to read about.

The historical notes at the end of the book give an idea of how much of the story is fact. Mary Beckworth was a real person in Australian history, as were many other characters in this story. Most of the events described in her (fictional) diary, such as the Irish uprising, the tension with France, the attempted escapes and the return of Judge Atkins' wife, are all based on fact. Actually, after his wife’s death in 1809, the Judge married Mary's mother, who had been his housekeeper since 1801.

Written in diary form in a chatty, intelligent voice, this intimate account is easy to get caught up in. It covers the years from 1801 to 1803, and incorporates many aspect of Sydney’s early penal colony. Reading this story, and others like it, is a great way for children to explore Australia’s historic past.

Other titles in the My Australian Story series include The Hunt for Ned Kelly by Sophie Masson, The Bombing of Darwin by Alan Tucker, Our Don Bradman by Peter Allen, Voyage to Botany Bay by Chrissie Michaels, The Phar Lap Mystery by Sophie Masson and many more.

Lennie the Legend: Solo to Sydney by Pony

Lennie the Legend: Solo to Sydney by Pony by Stephanie Owen Reeder (National Library of Australia)

HC RRP $24.99

ISBN 9780642278654

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Riveting and well-researched, Lennie the Legend: Solo to Sydney is the fictionalized version of a true story for the 7+ age group. It is a great adventure; a story of courage, resilience and dreams come true. It presents a view of the unbreakable bond between Man and horse, and the challenging times brought on by the Great Depression. The story alternates with factual pages of authentic history, stunning original coloured and black and white photos from the NLA’s rich collection, plus maps and posters.  These all tie in together beautifully to form a whole.

Nine year-old Lennie wants to go to the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s a hard ask as he’s a bush boy who lives in Leongatha in Victoria. His father, Captain Gwyther, a decorated war hero has broken his leg and Lennie must step up and fill his place, and finish the ploughing of their farm acres.

As a reward for his commitment to the family, his father gives permission for him to ride his horse Ginger Mick, to Sydney for the opening of the Bridge.

Lennie’s story is inspiring. We travel with him from town to town, through the bush and bushfires, past swagmen looking for work, through a flooding Princes Highway and onwards against odds. Then there are other dangers – snakes, horse thieves and various unseen threats. Every scene gives a strong sense of place. The visual descriptions of the natural world and Lennie’s surroundings put us right into every event.

Carrying letters of introduction and depending on the kindness of strangers, Lennie and the gallant Ginger Mick are on the greatest adventure of their life.

He meets the Prime Minister, visits Parliament House and Canberra Grammar School. Everywhere he goes, people know him because the newspapers have been following his inspiring journey.

The book has included an excellent Glossary, Acknowledgements to the primary and secondary sources, and the usual outstanding detailed list of illustrations with references for further research.

This is one of the best NLA books I have read although each one has been of the highest standard in every area. Stephanie Owen Reeder’s excellent narrative skills and insightful prose breathed life into this amazing story.