Walking the Boundaries

by Jackie French

Martin lives in the city with his mum. He′s come to walk the boundaries of the farm that′s been in his family for generations. It sounds easy, especially as he′ll own the land when he gets back. Martin′s great-grandfather, Ted, doesn′t even want him to walk around the farm′s fences, just up the gorge and along the hills.

But up in the gorge Martin meets Meg from almost a century ago and Wullamudulla from thousands of years in the past. Despite their differences they discover that they′re all on the same journey ... and that walking the boundaries means more than following lines on a map.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Historical, Australia, Indigenous, Young Adult

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Jackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.

Reviews

[Russell Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful blend of humanity and innocence. French takes land ownership, a hotly contested issue between settlers and native people and puts a face on each successive caretaker of the land and even back beyond land. I bought it in Australia nad I really learned much about many of the issues in Australia today, and in the past. I would love as a teacher to teach not only humanity with this book, but also about the responsibility we as a civilization have to the planet. A wonderful read all around.

[Kasey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I dislike this book, it was quite repetitive and I found it unenjoyable.

[Scott Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book over 30 years after it was written, I was surprised at how forward think it was. Using indigenous language and concepts of land ‘ownership’ it touches on subjects that I don’t recall being common at the time of publication. It even portrays indigenous interactions with the land as being disruptive to the balance of nature upon their arrival, an idea which is often ignored in 2024.

This would be a great book to show kids that how we interact with our environment can have long term effects.

[Trish Drinkwater · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weird, really weird - having read most of Jackie French's work and loved the books, children's, young adult/adult I expected this to be great. It wasn't - I love fantasy but this was too strange and weird for me to become involved. I was so tempted to toss it but kept reading. Still shaking my head at how a Jackie French book could leave me so stunned in a not good way.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story about Australian history and connection to the land. A little shorter than what I usually read but a nice sweet quick read

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this 4 stars based on its intended audience - older children. I would have rate it lower but see how well it would suit its audience.

[Wendy Lovatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, but it got a little bit unbelievable near the end, then I remembered it was a children's book after all!

[Emily Dennehy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was fairly predictable but a great read for kids and made me reflect on the way humans have used the land and how we have an impact. Loved the history woven in too

[Tonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few Jackie French books for school but this is my new favourite.

[Anne Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really unusual, a special book!

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok but some bits boring because we read it in school

[Elaine Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely book

A book so lovely that you would read again and again, I’m glad school asked parents to read with kids.

[Richard Jeffery · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fabulous read and message for young readers

As an older reader I enjoyed the journey but it is clearly and delightfully written for a young reader.
Read on!

[Kasey]

The start of this book sucked but it got better along the way!! 😁😁

[Kylie Bevan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* short, beautiful, relevant fiction

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too short!

Ms French is such a natural educator - like all the best, her passion is infectious and shines through. Thank you ma'am.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice children's book, bringing together (magically) characters from modern day, settlement, and pre-settlement times in Australia, all walking the same land together. Sometimes seemed a little heavy handed on introducing cultural elements, but still was a nice sense of indigenousness dreamtime and their relationship to the land and to their ancestors (both human and otherwise). It had a nice story as well. I plan on giving it as a gift to nieces/nephews in the US.

[Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of the connection between people and the land told via a seemingly innocent walk around the boundaries of a farmstead. It also tells of shared humanity that transcends time and culture.

It is not one of her best works but there are lessons to be learnt and a great "time travel" story for the kids.

[Carly Tebbutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember having this book read to me in primary school - and at the time it captivated me.

It's definitely been a while since then, but sometimes I still think about the main characters and the mysterious circumstances of their story.

This would be great to read to your children in a classroom or before bedtime.

[Katharine (Ventureadlaxre) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty sure it has the line about pizza and 'how do you hunt it' and 'it would take too long to explain' twice in the novel. One instance is on page 142 in my version, and one is a lot earlier - caught my attention especially as I don't think it would take too long to explain at all :\ Meg knows what bread is, and meat... and you just go on from there.

[Andrew]

An intriguing story about children learning about who they are, what they believe and developing a bond with the land. The same area of land is viewed from the perspectives of a modern boy, and girl in the 1920s and an aboriginal boy from pre colonisation times.

[Asha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book a lot once it got going. Loved the way that jackie brings together the three characters from modern day, settlement, and pre settlement. It makes this book distinctive and interesting.

[Maddi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walking the boundaries really connected to me. I loved the book and the way it was written, it was a bit confusing at times but also very smart. I love Jackie French's novels and recommend her books to those in High School.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walking the Boundaries (Bluegum) by Jackie French (1993)

[Zena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful piece of adolescent fiction which moves effortlessly through time and culture in order to discover meaning.

[Di · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite a complicated background for a childrens book. questions how we should look at life and treat our planet

[Meredith Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a nice enough story with valuable themes to do with stewardship told through the lens of reflection on the indigenous sense of dreamtime and connection to the land.

[Karib]

560 lexile, available for checkout from our MS book room!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright but would only recommend it to 12 years as it is a kids book and a very easy read

[Taiah02 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and it give you so much more ability to read and tells you much about culture