Red Sand Blue Sky

by Cathy Applegate

At the center of Australia is a vast red desert known as the Outback. For twelve-year-old Amy from Melbourne who arrives to visit her aunt, it is a world unlike anything she's ever seen before. But then she meets Lana, a local Aboriginal girl who, like Amy, has recently lost her mother, and the two girls overcome differences to form a surprising bond.

With warmth and humor, Red Sand, Blue Sky charts the encounter between Amy and Lana and their deepening friendship. Through Lana, Amy learns about the harsh treatment suffered by the Aboriginal people at the hands of the white settlers who were her ancestors, while Lana comes to appreciate Amy's and her aunt's commitment to protect the sacredness of the land.

Genres: School, Fiction, Middle Grade, Australia, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Read For School

143 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Amanda]

Randomly read this because I saw it on our bookshelf. First of all: It's a very Australian book. I definitely learned a few new words. The only thing that tripped me up was "torch." The characters were in the desert when they used it, so I just pictured a torch like a stick with fire at the end and thought nothing of it. I didn't realize they meant "flashlight" until someone was getting batteries for that torch... ha, ha.

Fun, short little book. Not impressive by any means, but it was entertaining enough, and I'd never read about modern aborigines before.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews)]

Really interesting story!

[Emma Filbrun]

Red Sand, Blue Sky is not one of our favorite books, but the action toward the end did keep my boys at the edge of their seats, so to speak, as I was reading it aloud. They were supposed to be washing dishes and cleaning up the kitchen, but I had to stop and remind them often to get back to work—they were hanging on every word!

Read my full review here.

[Dzemo Sh]

Very very interesting book, and great fun while reading it. It was far better than I expected it to be, and I was very pleased with how the story developed and progressed, and I would be very much interested in reading a sequel to this book, as I feel there is much space for this story to continue on.

[Carrie Daws]

The story started off like a sweet tale of two very different girls becoming friends in spite of the odds. But about halfway through it changed into a grand, exciting adventure. Although perhaps geared more toward girls, many boys will like enough pieces of it to have them try reading it.

[Savanna]

i loved this book. and it took place were i have always wanted to go!(Australian out back) it was a fantastic story i loved.

[Leichty Library]

Copies: 1

[Melissa]

girly book

[Tammy]

Quiet, entertaining story.

[Molly Ragan]

I like Red sand Blue sky because I think that it was a real adventure for Amy and Lana.

[Shannon Whitaker]

My daughter and I enjoyed this book, the book when from being pretty average to very exciting. The ending left a lot to be desired.

[Tom Richards]

A tab predictable, but a good insight into a culture for MG readers.

[Bonnie]

A quick, one-day read about a girl from Melbourne who travels to the Outback to stay with her aunt for two weeks. She becomes friends with an aboriginal girl named Lana. Some interesting characters, a touch of history, and a little bit of adventure and frightening drama. But hard to get any depth in less than 150 pages. I suppose middle-grade readers would enjoy it. It was a little simplistic for me. I definitely wanted more.

[Tim Schwamb]

This was a kids' book, so I shouldn't be too harsh, but I thought it moved too quickly without developing the characters well enough or the raw emotions that were frequently shown just prior to evaporating completely. The plot line was good with excitement. It just would have been better if it had been developed more.

[Heidi]

Pre-reading before my son reads it for school. I actually really enjoyed the setting and characters but felt the story was underdeveloped due to its short length. It would have been really good. Kind of strange to dock a star because it was too short, but it had a lot of potential and I think the author missed out on a bigger opportunity, IMO.

[Eva Hernandez]

Reading this book was like taking a dip in the life of a young girl in Australia and the life of someone who's growing up without a mom. The pros and cons to this life. I love how it shows the way, someone who's lived their whole life in an Australian city, acts in the outback, a place that's so extremely different.

[Sarah Kochert]

Read aloud to kids for history. Really helped foster discussions about History and what may not be taught. Related to our own American heritage of taking land from the Native Americans. Also to discussions on racism. Discussion - what all good books lead to.

[Hadley Mosher]

this is probably one of my favorite books of all time. No matter how many times you read it, it never gets old! that is very rare with books. if you have not read this book, you definitely should! Wow, this review is getting a bit long so i should probably stop here.

[Sara]

Quick read set in Australia. Entertaining and laid the groundwork for some discussion

[Donna Pincince]

Unique story that gives a small glimpse into Australia. Wish it went a little deeper so not quite 4 stars but the action made us want to read ahead so rounded up.

[Hazel]

When I read the back of this book it sound sounded better than the actual book itself, so I’m pretty disappointed about that. Maybe 3.5 stars ⭐️

[Haezley LaBella]

I liked this book because it taught me so much about the aboriginal people.

[Agnes Steffanie]

I loved how Amy found a relieve in Lana, and although they were different, they could make friendship.

[Abigail Post]

Aboriginal girl and white Australian city girl meet, become friends, and save a life.

[Hope]

This is a powerful story of reconciliation set in the Australian outback.

[Rebecca]

A story that gives us a glimpse into Australian and Aboriginal cultures and some of the prejudice that still remains.

[Bryan Spahr]

read for school in 5th grade

[Emilee]

this was very good i realy liked the part where they are on the rock after they become friends