Mr Rosenblum’s List by Natasha Solomons

Even though this is classified in Senior Fiction this book would suit most students – it is so delightful. It really gives an understanding of an immigrant who comes to his new country and wants so much to be a part of it and accepted that he will go to amazing lengths. I really adored Jack Rosenblum – knowing many Central European immigrants in my life, he was so real. His ever-patient wife could teach many things about getting along with spouses. This is a bit like Paul Torday’s Salmon Fishing in the Yemen – so funny because it is so ludicrous, yet you totally believe it all due to the wonderful characterisation. Try it and enjoy – the author is currently writing the movie script of the novel.

Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen

A very short but incredibly powerful novel about slavery in the Southern States of America before the Civil War. Nighjohn comes onto the property and teaches Sarny, a twelve-year old girl, how to read. The cruelty of the era is out there for you to read about. It is incredible to believe that such suffering was inflicted on one group of human beings, simply because of the colour of their skin.

Nightjohn knows that the only way that things will change is if the slaves can read and learn. The sequel Sarny is even more interesting.

Little Paradise by Gabrielle Wang

Mirabel loves designing dresses and is nearly finished school. But it’s 1943 in Melbourne and there are soldiers everywhere to attract young girls. Mirabel falls for a Chinese soldier and the consequences of this love have life-changing consequences.

This is based on a true story. Her bravery following her man to Shanghai and even into dangerous parts of China during wartime show her true qualities. this is a great read – lots of excitement and interest watching her family try to come to terms with the events in her life.

The Kites are Flying by Michael Morpurgo, ill. By Laura Carlin

Set on the West Bank, a photojournalist from London meets a young Palestinian boy with his herd of sheep. They connect but the boy does not speak. Rather, he spends his time making kites and is fascinated with the journalist’s camera. Alternate chapters are narrated by the boy.  Events lead to the journalist getting more of a film than he expected. A beautifully told novella by the master of story.

http://www.michaelmorpurgo.com/home/ his website – all about the books as well as activities and videos about his writing

Riding the black cockatoo by John Danalis

Riding the Black Cockatoo

Sometimes sick days can be rewarding – it meant I could lie in bed and just read the whole of this well-written and totally engrossing book. John’s story follows him on his journey as he goes from a family man learning to become  a teacher, to a sincere supporter of reconciliation.

John makes a casual comment one day (in a class about Indigenous Writing)  about how his family had an Aboriginal skull on their mantelpiece for over 40 years. This is the start of his amazing journey to the return this skull to its rightful resting place. Along the way, he goes through attitudinal and mental changes.  I do wonder what his wife and kids thought of all the goings-on, but I suppose it was his story rather than theirs.

His recall of attitudes towards Aboriginal People in Australia over the last four decades reminded me of how far many of us have come (not far enough and not enough of us, however).