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Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky
Winner, Young People's History Prize, 2024 NSW Premier's Literary Awards
Winner, 2024 Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction
Shortlisted, 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Awards and Margaret and Colin Roderick Literary Award
Longlisted, 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize - CYA
After their family encounters terrible hardship in rural China, siblings Fu and Pei must draw on all their resilience and courage as they embark on a dangerous journey towards a better life. A compelling and poignant children's novel from the CBCA award-winning author of Tiger Daughter .
What if you were forced to set sail for a country that didn't want you, to meet a father you couldn't remember?
Thirteen-year-old Fu, his younger sister, Pei, and their mother live in a small rural community in Southern China that is already enduring famine conditions when it is collectivised as part of Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward campaign that ultimately led to economic disaster, widespread famine and millions of deaths.
After tragedy strikes, and threatened with separation, Fu and Pei set out on a perilous journey across countries and oceans to find their father, who left for Australia almost a decade earlier. With nothing to guide them but a photograph and some letters in a language they cannot read, they must draw on all their courage and tenacity just to survive - and perhaps forge a better life for themselves.
An unforgettable story of family, resilience and the complex Asian-Australian experience from the esteemed author of Tiger Daughter, winner of the CBCA Book of the year for Older Readers.
Winner, 2024 Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction
Shortlisted, 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Awards and Margaret and Colin Roderick Literary Award
Longlisted, 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize - CYA
After their family encounters terrible hardship in rural China, siblings Fu and Pei must draw on all their resilience and courage as they embark on a dangerous journey towards a better life. A compelling and poignant children's novel from the CBCA award-winning author of Tiger Daughter .
What if you were forced to set sail for a country that didn't want you, to meet a father you couldn't remember?
Thirteen-year-old Fu, his younger sister, Pei, and their mother live in a small rural community in Southern China that is already enduring famine conditions when it is collectivised as part of Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward campaign that ultimately led to economic disaster, widespread famine and millions of deaths.
After tragedy strikes, and threatened with separation, Fu and Pei set out on a perilous journey across countries and oceans to find their father, who left for Australia almost a decade earlier. With nothing to guide them but a photograph and some letters in a language they cannot read, they must draw on all their courage and tenacity just to survive - and perhaps forge a better life for themselves.
An unforgettable story of family, resilience and the complex Asian-Australian experience from the esteemed author of Tiger Daughter, winner of the CBCA Book of the year for Older Readers.
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About the author
Rebecca Lim
37 books732 followersRebecca Lim is an Australian writer, illustrator and editor and the author of over twenty books, including Tiger Daughter (a Kirkus, Amazon and Booklist Best Book, CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers and Victorian Premier’s Literary Award-winner), Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky (NSW History Award-winner and Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award-winner) and the bestselling Mercy. Her work has been twice shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and Margaret and Colin Roderick Literary Award, shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards, ARA Historical Novel Prize and Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, shortlisted multiple times for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, Aurealis Awards and Davitt Awards, and longlisted for the Gold Inky Award and the David Gemmell Legend Award. Her novels have been translated into German, French, Turkish, Portuguese, Polish, Vietnamese and Russian. She is a co-founder of the Voices from the Intersection initiative and co-editor of Meet Me at the Intersection, a groundbreaking anthology of YA #OwnVoice memoir, poetry and fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 24, 2023
Thoughts:
- I wish I had more Australian stories like this when I was a kid... Australian stories that focus on the experiences of migrants and their often heartbreaking reasons for leaving. Australian stories that portray other cultures without objectifying them. Australian stories that are brutally honest about our spotty history of racially-driven immigration policies. Australian stories that tell short, prickly little Asian girls that it's okay to be angry at injustice, so long as that anger doesn't burn people. Australian stories showing kids that kindness can sometimes be found in unexpected places (and hopefully prompting them to go and be that kind person where possible).
- Overall, I really enjoyed Two Sparrowhawks. It had me in tears about 1/3 of the way in, and although Fu and Pei encounter some suspiciously happy coincidences, I don't think that made the story any less impactful. The author's note at the end was also well-written and helpful.
- Beyond Fu and Pei's journey itself, there are heaps of other things that would be good for discussion in a classroom setting, such as history, cultural identity, racism, gendered violence, migration and displacement, kindness vs. cruelty, etc. Not a teacher, but I can imagine this book being taught in upper primary (focusing on culture and migrant stories) and high school (maybe focusing on Australian migration policy in early high school and modern Chinese history for seniors). I reckon this would be a great book to include on reading lists with others like Nam Le's The Boat.
Note: this review is based on a pre-release copy provided by Allen & Unwin through NetGalley.
- I wish I had more Australian stories like this when I was a kid... Australian stories that focus on the experiences of migrants and their often heartbreaking reasons for leaving. Australian stories that portray other cultures without objectifying them. Australian stories that are brutally honest about our spotty history of racially-driven immigration policies. Australian stories that tell short, prickly little Asian girls that it's okay to be angry at injustice, so long as that anger doesn't burn people. Australian stories showing kids that kindness can sometimes be found in unexpected places (and hopefully prompting them to go and be that kind person where possible).
- Overall, I really enjoyed Two Sparrowhawks. It had me in tears about 1/3 of the way in, and although Fu and Pei encounter some suspiciously happy coincidences, I don't think that made the story any less impactful. The author's note at the end was also well-written and helpful.
- Beyond Fu and Pei's journey itself, there are heaps of other things that would be good for discussion in a classroom setting, such as history, cultural identity, racism, gendered violence, migration and displacement, kindness vs. cruelty, etc. Not a teacher, but I can imagine this book being taught in upper primary (focusing on culture and migrant stories) and high school (maybe focusing on Australian migration policy in early high school and modern Chinese history for seniors). I reckon this would be a great book to include on reading lists with others like Nam Le's The Boat.
Note: this review is based on a pre-release copy provided by Allen & Unwin through NetGalley.
June 27, 2023
Great writing, moving circumstances, brave characters with luck and fate on their side
August 12, 2023
A powerful story about two children who are made to set sail to another country to be with their father who they don’t know. This novel is set after WWII during the Cold War period where racism is heavily prevalent from the Immigration Restriction Act. I found this so engaging and educational as it highlights the complex Asian-Australian experience. This is so well written and I highly enjoyed it.
October 16, 2023
This story is told in three parts. We meet Pei, Fu and their mother living in a village in China 1951-1958. The family are poor and under the rule of the local landowner but they are happy. Pei and Fu's mother and father are well educated people - different from others in their village. Then two life changing events occur - their father disappears and the feudal system is overturned by communism. Now neighbor is pitted against neighbor, the state demand more and more of their produce and they take away their farm animals and tools. Everyone suffers but they are all powerless.
In part two, after their mother finally succumbs to starvation, the two children set off on a journey to find their father. They have a tiny collection of documents, letters, a menu and one very precious photo. They also have treasures sewn into their worn jackets.
Finally in part three, the two bedraggled children have been able to secure passage on a ship traveling to the land at the bottom of the world and again, luckily, Pei makes a friend. This time it is a wise, kind young Jewish woman. It is a special moment in the story when Miss Ewa offers to teach Pei English.
The cover (by Hana Kinoshita Thomson) and title of this book are such interesting choices. This book is set in China in the 1950s but the cover (to my eye) does not have an Asian or even an historical feel. But I am most curious about the title. I asked a question about the title on Instagram and Rebecca Lim replied. I was so excited to read her reply. And if I can boast she also thanked me for my 'absorbing and heartfelt' review!!!: "I have just done an interview with ABC Nightlife where I talk about the title. Chinese Sparrowhawks are native to Southern China and they are common, tough and hardy. I wanted to set something tiny and local to a specific area against the fearsomeness and vastness of the wider world/sky - would such a creature survive."
I am going to predict we will see this book listed as a Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable title and short-listed book for 2024 - possibly in Younger Readers but I think Older Readers might be a better fit. I would highly recommend this book for mature readers aged 11+ Read more in my blog post momotimetoread
In part two, after their mother finally succumbs to starvation, the two children set off on a journey to find their father. They have a tiny collection of documents, letters, a menu and one very precious photo. They also have treasures sewn into their worn jackets.
Finally in part three, the two bedraggled children have been able to secure passage on a ship traveling to the land at the bottom of the world and again, luckily, Pei makes a friend. This time it is a wise, kind young Jewish woman. It is a special moment in the story when Miss Ewa offers to teach Pei English.
The cover (by Hana Kinoshita Thomson) and title of this book are such interesting choices. This book is set in China in the 1950s but the cover (to my eye) does not have an Asian or even an historical feel. But I am most curious about the title. I asked a question about the title on Instagram and Rebecca Lim replied. I was so excited to read her reply. And if I can boast she also thanked me for my 'absorbing and heartfelt' review!!!: "I have just done an interview with ABC Nightlife where I talk about the title. Chinese Sparrowhawks are native to Southern China and they are common, tough and hardy. I wanted to set something tiny and local to a specific area against the fearsomeness and vastness of the wider world/sky - would such a creature survive."
I am going to predict we will see this book listed as a Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable title and short-listed book for 2024 - possibly in Younger Readers but I think Older Readers might be a better fit. I would highly recommend this book for mature readers aged 11+ Read more in my blog post momotimetoread
August 26, 2023
Sat down this morning and read this stunning new release from Rebecca Lim cover to cover and hand on heart was moved to tears.
Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky.
Written with an innocence and naivety that mirrors that of its two protagonists, the story tackles complex themes of displacement, violence, loss, and exploitation in an age-appropriate way for young readers.
For an adult reading this, the style of writing encourages you to read more into what is left unsaid and invites you to delve deeper into some of the matters mentioned in passing.
The fictional story is set against a backdrop of significant historical events; the Great Leap Forward, Australia’s challenging immigration history, British colonialism - but is not a story about these big events. It is the story of quite literally the little people, those without power, in this case children, who need to navigate the changing goal posts of history.
It accompanies a brother and sister Fu and Pei on their journey, or perhaps more accurately escape, to Australia. An Australia still labouring under a White Australia Policy and deeply entrenched xenophobia. Through encounters, alternately brutal and compassionate, with colourful cast of characters, they make their way, with considerable gumption and a generous dose of luck, to eventually be reunited with their father in Melbourne.
Rebecca writes with subtlety and nuance, but never at the expense of meaning. She paints a picture of the characters in elegant understated brushstrokes. Brushstrokes that bring to mind those of calligraphers carefully and with precision creating something of not only great importance but great beauty.
There has long been a gaping hole in our collective narrative when it comes to children’s literature. It’s an early call but I suspect this one is destined to become a classic… Too good to leave it just for the kids to read.
Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky.
Written with an innocence and naivety that mirrors that of its two protagonists, the story tackles complex themes of displacement, violence, loss, and exploitation in an age-appropriate way for young readers.
For an adult reading this, the style of writing encourages you to read more into what is left unsaid and invites you to delve deeper into some of the matters mentioned in passing.
The fictional story is set against a backdrop of significant historical events; the Great Leap Forward, Australia’s challenging immigration history, British colonialism - but is not a story about these big events. It is the story of quite literally the little people, those without power, in this case children, who need to navigate the changing goal posts of history.
It accompanies a brother and sister Fu and Pei on their journey, or perhaps more accurately escape, to Australia. An Australia still labouring under a White Australia Policy and deeply entrenched xenophobia. Through encounters, alternately brutal and compassionate, with colourful cast of characters, they make their way, with considerable gumption and a generous dose of luck, to eventually be reunited with their father in Melbourne.
Rebecca writes with subtlety and nuance, but never at the expense of meaning. She paints a picture of the characters in elegant understated brushstrokes. Brushstrokes that bring to mind those of calligraphers carefully and with precision creating something of not only great importance but great beauty.
There has long been a gaping hole in our collective narrative when it comes to children’s literature. It’s an early call but I suspect this one is destined to become a classic… Too good to leave it just for the kids to read.
August 27, 2023
Thank you Allen & Unwin for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to love this one. Stories like this are so important, especially for young readers. But it just fell a bit flat for me.
The plot was good, but I felt it dragged on unnecessary details while skimming over events I would have enjoyed being fleshed out more. I expected this book to focus more on the journey and the destination than their home town.
The characters we meet along the way were great. So many of them were so kind and lovely and it warmed my heart. But I struggled to connect with the two main characters, Fu and Pei. Maybe it was just me, but there was something in the writing style that made me feel detached from them.
The writing style was actually my least favourite part of this book. I was confused by the constant changing POV, sometimes within the same paragraph, and it felt more like someone reciting a story with just the details instead of reading a story full of imagery and emotion.
Overall, a wholesome, important story, and I’d definitely recommend it for younger readers.
I really wanted to love this one. Stories like this are so important, especially for young readers. But it just fell a bit flat for me.
The plot was good, but I felt it dragged on unnecessary details while skimming over events I would have enjoyed being fleshed out more. I expected this book to focus more on the journey and the destination than their home town.
The characters we meet along the way were great. So many of them were so kind and lovely and it warmed my heart. But I struggled to connect with the two main characters, Fu and Pei. Maybe it was just me, but there was something in the writing style that made me feel detached from them.
The writing style was actually my least favourite part of this book. I was confused by the constant changing POV, sometimes within the same paragraph, and it felt more like someone reciting a story with just the details instead of reading a story full of imagery and emotion.
Overall, a wholesome, important story, and I’d definitely recommend it for younger readers.
September 23, 2024
I loved this book. I am not going to write any spoilers, but the author Rebecca has clearly done her research about the history of the Great Leap Forward and the struggle faced by millions of people in China when this happened, and about the culture of China, Hong Kong and Australia at the time. But what she does really successfully is build characters that you feel connected to and want to see succeed. Although this is written for older children/ young adults, it is an inspiring story of love, grit and the kindness of strangers, which readers of any age can enjoy. It gives one hope in humanity. I would love to read a sequel to this compelling story.
September 21, 2023
Although quite a predictable book it was a divine read and allows a younger child to understand the challenges of migrants in the 1800's - the poverty, the language barriers, the status power, the unfair treatment of certain sectors of the world.
Pei and Fu are 2 children that have such a rough start to life and need to somehow get to Australia to find their dad after their mum passed away - and navigate this with no education or money or support.
It is quite confronting at times, but written in a manner that young readers can understand and empathize with.
Pei and Fu are 2 children that have such a rough start to life and need to somehow get to Australia to find their dad after their mum passed away - and navigate this with no education or money or support.
It is quite confronting at times, but written in a manner that young readers can understand and empathize with.
December 28, 2023
I enjoyed this novel, as it was a good length novel with an amazing and interesting plot, which was equally informative and accurate to history. Clearly thorough research was contributed to this story. I really enjoyed the two main characters, with each of their emotions and personalities clear throughout the plot. Loved this book.
April 13, 2024
4.5* An excellent story depicting life in a rural Chinese community during Mao's Great Leap Forward campaign, this would make a great novel to study at school if you were looking into Asia/Australian relations, refugees or Chinese history. Very accessible for young readers in upper primary and lower secondary.
January 4, 2024
I really liked this book. It has really brave and courageous characters who fight to survive in a time of immense suffering in China.
February 12, 2024
Read for PRC
April 3, 2024
Excellent story telling. Suited to 10 + years old. A lot of content about the great leap forward and refugee issues.
December 31, 2024
Better for Middle Schoolers. Some harder language.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews