Dirrarn

Black Cockatoo #2

by Carl Merrison

Age range 10+

Mia could hear the squarks of her Jarriny before she saw them. Her eye’s had flicked to the sky in search of the passing dirrarn but soon realized the noise was from the bird just beyond the gate.

We first met Mia in Black Cockatoo , as she navigated her way through culture, Country and familial ties. Dirrarn follows Mia as she finds herself at boarding school and the challenges of living thousands of kilometres away from home, family, and the big sky country she loves. Mia along with her best friend, Naya, negotiate new friends, new ways of thinking and new ways of being in a different world. As Mia wrestles with all that is unfamiliar, she soon must learn to stand in her truth when confronted with unending challenges.

The dirrarn (black cockatoo) is Mia’s totem animal. It provides her with the strength and freedom to stay connected to her world, even when she is a long way from home. It is this totem she draws upon. Dirrarn is a sensitive story on the power of place, personality and the honour of standing up for the truth.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Australia

64 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

Carl is a Jaru/Kija man from Halls Creek in the Kimberleys in Western Australia. Carl loves spending time out bush with his family; fishing, hunting and swimming in waterholes. He loves AFL- he is a Level 3 coach! Carl was awarded State Finalist of the Australian of the Year Award- Local Hero for Western Australia in 2016 for his work as lifeguard, football coach, Clontarf worker and youth mentor. Carl was the 2020 Black&Write Fellowship recipient for his series of picture books: Backyard Sports. He was a shortlisted author for the Western Australian Writing Fellowship.

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, short read that will keep the reader engaged. Very useful glossary at the back.

[Laura Farrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could really feel the frustration of Mia and Naya when Charlotte was being mean to them and the teachers weren't listening to them. It was great to find 1st nations language used in the book as though commonplace, and I learned some new things about Country and family that I didn't know.

CBCA Notables 2024 - Younger Readers

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Bullying

[Danielle McGregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a simple story to follow for younger readers. It gave them the tools to research with a glossary of words at the back. The book served a purpose in allowing readers to connect with First Nation peoples and their feelings of displacement at school.
I did not find the story engaging and it fell a bit flat for me.

[Chloe Auger · Rating 3 out of 5]

My students will be reading this so I had to read it first. Cute book about two Aboriginal students. It will be great for my students to sympathise with First Nations People’s perspectives and to appreciate Australian Land.

[Steven Kolber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and engaging slice of life story.

[Katg · Rating 4 out of 5]

2022 FR
boarding school country JFIC 2nd in series, illustrations great

[Marlee Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORING. Read this to a group of kids at school. Literally nothing happened.

A girl goes to boarding school, gets bullied and gets some help with her homework. Riveting plot....

[Dell Stevenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay for older children to learn about aboriginal culture.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merrison Merries #2
Black Cockatoo #2
Story of Mia young indigenous girl continues in this book, quite engaging and interesting and one hopes for a book #3 at some point.

[Cathryn Wellner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story to give insight to young people about the challenges faced by First Nations students leaving country for urban boarding schools.

[Anna Ottersbach-McLean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read by myself first, and then again with the kids. Not as touching as Black Cockatoo but still interesting to see what the characters do next.

[Alicia Welsford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for a university assignment. I think it is a good story for young people to read.

[Kathleen Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for kids (and adults) to learn about Indigenous culture and language. I really enjoyed it

[Kallie Alviano · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely quick read about discovery & understanding the community. The second book in the trilogy, the story continues Mia’s journey through high school. Looking forward to reading Nagurra Home