Damon

by Gary Crew, Aaron Hill (Illustrator)

'Nothing in the art gallery looked like anything. Not in real life anyway. At least, not in his life.'

Damon's reality is made up of TV and gaming, but soon it seems as dull as other people's lives.

Far off, a tiger roars. As it comes closer - inside Damon's dreams - it changes the way he sees the world.

Genres: Picture Books

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Dr Gary Crew, author of novels, short stories and picture books for older children and young adults, began his writing career in 1985, when he was a high school teacher. His books are challenging and intriguing, often based on non-fiction. As well as writing fiction, Gary is a Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Children's and Adult Literature, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and editor of the After Dark series.

He lives with his wife Christine on several acres in the cool, high mountains of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia in a house called 'Green Mansions' which is shaded by over 200 Australian rainforest palms he has cultivated. He enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with his dogs Ferris, Beulah, and Miss Wendy. In his spare time he has created an Australian Rainforest Garden around his home, filled with Australian palms. Gary loves to visit antique shops looking for curios and beautiful objects.

Gary Crew has been awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the year four times: twice for Book of the Year for Young Adult Older Readers (Strange Objects in 1991 and Angel’s Gate in 1993) and twice for Picture Book of the Year with First Light in 1993 (illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe) and The Watertower (illustrated by Steven Woolman) in 1994. Gary’s illustrated book, Memorial (with Shaun Tan) was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book in 2000 and short listed for the Queensland Premier’s Awards. He has also won the Wilderness Society Award, the Whitley Award and the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction.

In the USA he has been twice short listed for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Fiction Award for Youth and the Hungry Minds Review American Children’s Book of distinction. In Europe he has twice been and twice the prestigious White Raven Award for his illustrated books. Among his many Australian awards is the Ned Kelly Prize for Crime Fiction, the New South Wales Premier’s Award and the Victorian Premier’s Award. He has been short listed for both the Queensland Premier’s and the Western Australian Premier’s awards for Fiction.

Reviews

[Paul Grose · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was very vague. The illustrations were great but did not contribute much understanding to what was taking place in the text. It was as if the words and most of the illustrations were from two different narratives. I came to the conclusion the the Tiger was a metaphor for Damns internal awakening,,,but thats just my reading of the text. This though is the charm of the work as it allows the reader to read and bring their own understanding to the work.

[Lyn Battersby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lyn is a judge for the Aurealis Awards. This review is the personal opinion of Lyn herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.

I will be reviewing and rating this once the AAs are announced.

[Rania T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book can generate a lot of discussion in a classroom of adolescents in regards to whether or not we have the power to change our lives for the better (or worse). Good use as a supplementary text for teachers in English.

[Christine Bongers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book which strikes me as an interesting one for adolescents rather than younger readers.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surrealism in picture books and a visual represention of teenagers.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most intense picture book I have ever read.

[Emkoshka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tiger gives a typical teenage boy a lesson in creativity and living. Aaron Hill's illustrations make the story.