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My Australian Story #4
Australia
Elizabeth Harvey, thrown into London's Newgate Prison in 1790 for a crime she didn't commit, finds herself transported to Australa. As maidservant to a surgeon in Sydney Cove, she is faced with the harsh reality of eking out life from the stark new continent, and the real convicts who were sent there too.
167 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
7 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
About the author
Goldie Alexander
47 books19 followersGoldie's parents had migrated from Poland and when she was small, she hardly spoke any English.
Her first four Young Adult books were 'Dolly Fiction' novels published under the pseudonym of Gerri Lapin. Her first book under her own name, "Mavis Road Medley" is a time travel fiction exploring the world of Princes Hill and her parents' struggles to survive the Depression. Since then Goldie has written more than 90 books, and many prize winning short stories and articles.
These days Goldie is known for her historical, science fiction and mystery novels, plus her short stories and non fiction such as Mentoring Your Memoir.
'My Australian Story: Surviving Sydney Cove' is now in its 10th edition. 'Mavis Road Medley' (Margaret Hamilton Books 1991) was chosen by the Victorian Australian Centre for Youth Literature as one of their 150 'treasures'.
Some of her latest books include 3 collections of short stories for young readers, Killer Virus, Horrible Cousins, and Space Footy. Her crime stories for children is the series A~PI: Hedgeburners and Car-Crimes. Her latest historical fiction for young readers is 'The Youngest Camelleer' 'Gallipoli Medals' and 'Cybertricks;
Just out are the YA 'Dessi's Romance' and 'That Stranger Next Door.
For middle grade readers: "eSIde, a Journey into Cyberspace", "Neptunia" and for Junior readers "Gallipoli Medals"
For adults a paranormal romance "Penelope's Ghost" and 'Emily's Romance'
Latest YA verse novel is 'In Hades' and the middle grade 'My Holocaust Story: Hanna"
'For YA 'The Shakespeare Tiilogy' and 'Cruel Cove'
Her first four Young Adult books were 'Dolly Fiction' novels published under the pseudonym of Gerri Lapin. Her first book under her own name, "Mavis Road Medley" is a time travel fiction exploring the world of Princes Hill and her parents' struggles to survive the Depression. Since then Goldie has written more than 90 books, and many prize winning short stories and articles.
These days Goldie is known for her historical, science fiction and mystery novels, plus her short stories and non fiction such as Mentoring Your Memoir.
'My Australian Story: Surviving Sydney Cove' is now in its 10th edition. 'Mavis Road Medley' (Margaret Hamilton Books 1991) was chosen by the Victorian Australian Centre for Youth Literature as one of their 150 'treasures'.
Some of her latest books include 3 collections of short stories for young readers, Killer Virus, Horrible Cousins, and Space Footy. Her crime stories for children is the series A~PI: Hedgeburners and Car-Crimes. Her latest historical fiction for young readers is 'The Youngest Camelleer' 'Gallipoli Medals' and 'Cybertricks;
Just out are the YA 'Dessi's Romance' and 'That Stranger Next Door.
For middle grade readers: "eSIde, a Journey into Cyberspace", "Neptunia" and for Junior readers "Gallipoli Medals"
For adults a paranormal romance "Penelope's Ghost" and 'Emily's Romance'
Latest YA verse novel is 'In Hades' and the middle grade 'My Holocaust Story: Hanna"
'For YA 'The Shakespeare Tiilogy' and 'Cruel Cove'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 19, 2021
`Bringing The Past Into The Real World'
The `My Story` series of books, is divided into two separate sets, one for boys and another for girls.
They are written with 9-11 year olds in mind, but are just as enjoyable and informative for adults to read.
For any US followers of my blog, they have been reliably described as similar in content to the `Dear America' series.
For any Australian readers, this book is part of the `My Australian Story' series and was published with the title `Surviving Sydney Cove'.
The `My Story' books, are written in an accessible style as a series of fictional diary entries, telling the stories of individual British heroes and heroines as they chart their journeys through some of histories most exciting and harrowing events, bringing the past into the real world, with a truly human touch.
Each tale is brought to life by a different, well established author, who paints a colourful portrait of some of our most notorious and entertaining social histories, whilst providing an interesting and informative narrative for readers of all ages to enjoy.
`Transported` tells the story, set in the 18th century, of some of the first groups of convicts to be transported to the shores of Australia and of their gaolers, sent with them, to establish a colony there. It relates first hand, through Elizabeth, the seemingly minor crimes for which transportation was deemed an appropriate sentence, after first having suffered terribly for sometimes many years, in a conventional English prison of the period.
There is a fantastic short and concise timeline of events at the end of the book, charting the rise and fall of the colony as a convict trail, with the final entry being the most telling .... "Altogether, between 1788 and 1868, about 137,000 male and 25,000 female convicts (including children) were transported to Australia." ... although of those people, many thousands failed to complete the journey, dying on board ship from starvation and disease.
Life, when the colony is reached, is little better, with both captives and captors left starving, disease ridden and afraid of the indigenous population. Elizabeth quickly learns, that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but with the inbuilt resilience of youth, strives to make the best of her situation, determined that she should record her experiences and that the documents should be returned to England as soon as possible. Elizabeth is brave, curious and definitely rebellious, with her resourcefulness and determination attributes which will ultimately serve her well.
Elizabeth's diary is written to her brother, left behind in England when she is imprisoned, so that he should not forget her, nor she him. The writing and language is simple, yet descriptive, with short sentences, adapted so that modern audiences are not bombarded with the complex and often melodramatic language of the 18th century.
Although a fictional account of the times, this book, with its intelligent and informative narrative, forms the basis of a realistic social commentary, highlighting the plight, the struggle to survive and ultimately the rise to success, of the tens of thousands of unfortunates, banished from the shores of England, to an unknown fate in Australia. It is, in part, based on the real life story of Elizabeth Hayward, the youngest female convict shipped to Botany Bay.
I think that this is a great series, which should be part of the school curriculum, although needing to be read by the children in their own time, to supplement the rote learning style of our social history, in the classroom.
Talking to friends and colleagues, it seems to be the case, that although most children will devour books avidly up until the age of about 10/11, from then on very few of them will continue to enjoy books and reading beyond that point, unless material is thrust on them at school as part of the reading syllabus for examinations. Some later return to reading in adulthood, but that number appears to be on the demise, with many young adults of the opinion that receiving text messages and emails, constitutes reading in the modern world!!
The `My Story` series of books, is divided into two separate sets, one for boys and another for girls.
They are written with 9-11 year olds in mind, but are just as enjoyable and informative for adults to read.
For any US followers of my blog, they have been reliably described as similar in content to the `Dear America' series.
For any Australian readers, this book is part of the `My Australian Story' series and was published with the title `Surviving Sydney Cove'.
The `My Story' books, are written in an accessible style as a series of fictional diary entries, telling the stories of individual British heroes and heroines as they chart their journeys through some of histories most exciting and harrowing events, bringing the past into the real world, with a truly human touch.
Each tale is brought to life by a different, well established author, who paints a colourful portrait of some of our most notorious and entertaining social histories, whilst providing an interesting and informative narrative for readers of all ages to enjoy.
`Transported` tells the story, set in the 18th century, of some of the first groups of convicts to be transported to the shores of Australia and of their gaolers, sent with them, to establish a colony there. It relates first hand, through Elizabeth, the seemingly minor crimes for which transportation was deemed an appropriate sentence, after first having suffered terribly for sometimes many years, in a conventional English prison of the period.
There is a fantastic short and concise timeline of events at the end of the book, charting the rise and fall of the colony as a convict trail, with the final entry being the most telling .... "Altogether, between 1788 and 1868, about 137,000 male and 25,000 female convicts (including children) were transported to Australia." ... although of those people, many thousands failed to complete the journey, dying on board ship from starvation and disease.
Life, when the colony is reached, is little better, with both captives and captors left starving, disease ridden and afraid of the indigenous population. Elizabeth quickly learns, that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but with the inbuilt resilience of youth, strives to make the best of her situation, determined that she should record her experiences and that the documents should be returned to England as soon as possible. Elizabeth is brave, curious and definitely rebellious, with her resourcefulness and determination attributes which will ultimately serve her well.
Elizabeth's diary is written to her brother, left behind in England when she is imprisoned, so that he should not forget her, nor she him. The writing and language is simple, yet descriptive, with short sentences, adapted so that modern audiences are not bombarded with the complex and often melodramatic language of the 18th century.
Although a fictional account of the times, this book, with its intelligent and informative narrative, forms the basis of a realistic social commentary, highlighting the plight, the struggle to survive and ultimately the rise to success, of the tens of thousands of unfortunates, banished from the shores of England, to an unknown fate in Australia. It is, in part, based on the real life story of Elizabeth Hayward, the youngest female convict shipped to Botany Bay.
I think that this is a great series, which should be part of the school curriculum, although needing to be read by the children in their own time, to supplement the rote learning style of our social history, in the classroom.
Talking to friends and colleagues, it seems to be the case, that although most children will devour books avidly up until the age of about 10/11, from then on very few of them will continue to enjoy books and reading beyond that point, unless material is thrust on them at school as part of the reading syllabus for examinations. Some later return to reading in adulthood, but that number appears to be on the demise, with many young adults of the opinion that receiving text messages and emails, constitutes reading in the modern world!!
April 8, 2009
I have just finished reading Surviving Sydeny Cove: The Diary of Elizabeth Harvey Sydeny 1790.
This imaginary diary is based , Lizzie Harbey a convict girl who is transported to Sydeny Cove and is starving and overworked. She has to fetch water, mend clothes, serve her Master, care for his daughter and tiptoe around his moody soldier son. She can barley find the time to dream about the way things used to be, let alone write in her diary. But she must! It is her only hope of reaching out to the home she has left behind.
It was truely a heartwarming story..... of the stravition years written in a convit girl's diary. After I read this book it made me think about the food , the education and a roof over my head I am blessed with. Even if this book was written in the 1790 people are still suffering! and here some of us are wasting food, not intrested in education and always wanting more and more. I am 100% sure that most people around the world who are suffering of hunger or who are overworked wound give anything for the life we have...
This imaginary diary is based , Lizzie Harbey a convict girl who is transported to Sydeny Cove and is starving and overworked. She has to fetch water, mend clothes, serve her Master, care for his daughter and tiptoe around his moody soldier son. She can barley find the time to dream about the way things used to be, let alone write in her diary. But she must! It is her only hope of reaching out to the home she has left behind.
It was truely a heartwarming story..... of the stravition years written in a convit girl's diary. After I read this book it made me think about the food , the education and a roof over my head I am blessed with. Even if this book was written in the 1790 people are still suffering! and here some of us are wasting food, not intrested in education and always wanting more and more. I am 100% sure that most people around the world who are suffering of hunger or who are overworked wound give anything for the life we have...
November 29, 2016
The book is an easy read which I would suggest for anyone from twelve years and over. It is a good representation on what times would be like back then not only as a part of the first fleet but also as a convict. 'Transported' didn't really follow the general layout of a novel as it was set in the journal/diary style, therefore there was no real climax.
I would recommend this book if you are looking for an easy read that you don't need to give your full attention to the plot. The story is one which doesn't really progress as such and doesn't have many really 'exciting' highlights.
See more reviews and an overview of this book at my blog:
http://shelvedtbrb.blogspot.com.au
I would recommend this book if you are looking for an easy read that you don't need to give your full attention to the plot. The story is one which doesn't really progress as such and doesn't have many really 'exciting' highlights.
See more reviews and an overview of this book at my blog:
http://shelvedtbrb.blogspot.com.au
July 3, 2011
75/100 When I was younger, I always wanted to be a historian. I enjoy these kinds of books because they put feelings and emotions into facts and dates. Whilst the book isn't true (The author uses the characters as a way of portraying the times), it was still really interesting, and quite sad. Its sort of exciting too, knowing that the white colonization of Australia started in such tough times. I now feel more compelled to read more about Australian history.
In short, Elizabeth Harvey was a convict who was transported to Australia for a crime she didn't commit. She was very young when she was transported, and was only saved from death by another convict named Sarah, who sort of becomes Lizzies caregiver, in a sense. Anyway, after being sent to Rose Hill, a government farm a days march from Sydney, she trades two onions for a diary and some ink.
She then writes in it, planning to send her diary back to her brother in England. As time passes, she saves an officers daughter from a man who went crazy from his experiences in Newgate prison. As a reward, the officer asks Lizzie to become his housekeeper (his wife died many years before). As time goes on, Lizzie bonds with Emily, and becomes her nanny.
Because of the lack of food, everyone is constantly hungry. People in Sydney cove become ill, and the officers services are needed. So they travel from Rose Hill to Sydney, and are appaled by what they find.
I won't write anymore about the book, because it'll probably spoil the fantastic, and sad ending. Definitely worth the read, more so if your Australian, and interested in history.
In short, Elizabeth Harvey was a convict who was transported to Australia for a crime she didn't commit. She was very young when she was transported, and was only saved from death by another convict named Sarah, who sort of becomes Lizzies caregiver, in a sense. Anyway, after being sent to Rose Hill, a government farm a days march from Sydney, she trades two onions for a diary and some ink.
She then writes in it, planning to send her diary back to her brother in England. As time passes, she saves an officers daughter from a man who went crazy from his experiences in Newgate prison. As a reward, the officer asks Lizzie to become his housekeeper (his wife died many years before). As time goes on, Lizzie bonds with Emily, and becomes her nanny.
Because of the lack of food, everyone is constantly hungry. People in Sydney cove become ill, and the officers services are needed. So they travel from Rose Hill to Sydney, and are appaled by what they find.
I won't write anymore about the book, because it'll probably spoil the fantastic, and sad ending. Definitely worth the read, more so if your Australian, and interested in history.
April 6, 2009
This book is one of the books in the My Australian Story series, which is an Australian version of Dear America, featuring the fictional diaries of young people during different events in Australian history.
The year is 1790, in colonial Sydney, Australia. Elizabeth Harvey, or Lizzie as she is called, is a young girl sent to Sydney Cove as a convict. Wrongly convicted of stealing from her employer, Lizzie was forced to leave behind her beloved brother in England and was transported to Sydney, where she lives in servitude. Life is very difficult in the colony, and food is scarce. Will Lizzie survive to ever see her brother and home again?
Written in the form of Lizzie's diary, this book brought to life the early days of colonial Australia through the eyes of young convict girl. The book describes the injustices faced by the lower class in early England and the hardships of settling a new land. I recommend this book to young readers who enjoy historical fiction written in diary form and who enjoyed other books in the My Story series.
The year is 1790, in colonial Sydney, Australia. Elizabeth Harvey, or Lizzie as she is called, is a young girl sent to Sydney Cove as a convict. Wrongly convicted of stealing from her employer, Lizzie was forced to leave behind her beloved brother in England and was transported to Sydney, where she lives in servitude. Life is very difficult in the colony, and food is scarce. Will Lizzie survive to ever see her brother and home again?
Written in the form of Lizzie's diary, this book brought to life the early days of colonial Australia through the eyes of young convict girl. The book describes the injustices faced by the lower class in early England and the hardships of settling a new land. I recommend this book to young readers who enjoy historical fiction written in diary form and who enjoyed other books in the My Story series.
October 24, 2009
This book is one of the books in the My Australian Story series, which is an Australian version of Dear America, featuring the fictional diaries of young people during different events in Australian history.
The year is 1790, in colonial Sydney, Australia. Elizabeth Harvey, or Lizzie as she is called, is a young girl sent to Sydney Cove as a convict. Wrongly convicted of stealing from her employer, Lizzie was forced to leave behind her beloved brother in England and was transported to Sydney, where she lives in servitude. Life is very difficult in the colony, and food is scarce. Will Lizzie survive to ever see her brother and home again?
Written in the form of Lizzie's diary, this book brought to life the early days of colonial Australia through the eyes of young convict girl. The book describes the injustices faced by the lower class in early England and the hardships of settling a new land. I recommend this book to young readers who enjoy historical fiction written in diary form and who enjoyed other books in the My Story series.
The year is 1790, in colonial Sydney, Australia. Elizabeth Harvey, or Lizzie as she is called, is a young girl sent to Sydney Cove as a convict. Wrongly convicted of stealing from her employer, Lizzie was forced to leave behind her beloved brother in England and was transported to Sydney, where she lives in servitude. Life is very difficult in the colony, and food is scarce. Will Lizzie survive to ever see her brother and home again?
Written in the form of Lizzie's diary, this book brought to life the early days of colonial Australia through the eyes of young convict girl. The book describes the injustices faced by the lower class in early England and the hardships of settling a new land. I recommend this book to young readers who enjoy historical fiction written in diary form and who enjoyed other books in the My Story series.
June 28, 2011
1)this book fits into the category of a book recommended by a memer of your family
2)i decided to read this book because my sister liked it and she said i would and as i stared to read ti i reall liked it
3)i like how the book was set out and how when you read it you got a picture in your mind of what was happening
4) i dont really think there was anythink i didnt like about this book it was such a great book
5)i would recommend this book to teenage girls because they could get a teaste of what its like to be a slave in ahard time and they can compare there life to her life and see how blessed they really are
2)i decided to read this book because my sister liked it and she said i would and as i stared to read ti i reall liked it
3)i like how the book was set out and how when you read it you got a picture in your mind of what was happening
4) i dont really think there was anythink i didnt like about this book it was such a great book
5)i would recommend this book to teenage girls because they could get a teaste of what its like to be a slave in ahard time and they can compare there life to her life and see how blessed they really are
July 25, 2017
I can't speak as to the historical accuracy of this book, since I know next to nothing about the history of Australia, but I will say this: it's educational, depressing, and yet engaging, which is a mark of a pretty darn good book. It has a little bit of a heavy hand in places (yes, we get it, everyone is hungry), but in spite of all that it's still definitely worth reading.
For my full recap and review including spoilers, check out Young Adult Historical Vault. https://yahistoricalvault.com/2016/11...
For my full recap and review including spoilers, check out Young Adult Historical Vault. https://yahistoricalvault.com/2016/11...
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November 12, 2012This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.
March 13, 2016
Although this book could be seen as a little simple, it needs to be taken into consideration that it was written by a young girl. Yet even with a less developed vocabulary, the main character is able to enthrall the reader and pull them into her world filled with hardship and worry. As a person reads the book they are able to experience a young girls pains and sorrows as well as experiencing her hopes and dreams.
May 30, 2013
This book relates the sad story of a girl sent to Australia away from her family, where she worked virtually like a domestic slave doing chores in the house and looking the children. This was quite nice and easy to read.
July 1, 2014
I've read this a few times over the years and I've found its a good book to go back to. An easy read, but an interesting one. It really gets you involved in the characters' lives and portrays the harsh times they would have experienced in real life.
July 25, 2014
One of my favourite books of all time, I read it when I was 12 and I will always remember it as it was the first book to ever make me cry. Read it over and over again, highly recommend to younger readers!
July 17, 2015
I enjoyed this book however found that it was most likely aimed at early teens that young adult (where it was located in my local library). Check out my full review on this book on my blog @ http://lifeoabookworm.blogspot.com.au/
Thanks :)
Thanks :)
March 1, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It made me cry while having an glimpse of the time period. It was a bit slow during the middle. I wish they made one in the terms of Winston travelling to England and to give the journal to Edward.
February 8, 2012
This is a very good but sad book it tells of a girl called Lizzy who is sent to Australia for stealing a dress, she is writing a diary for her brother so he will know of her life.
August 26, 2012
Again, I've found that foreign diary series put the Dear America diaries to shame. This one was quite good.
April 20, 2012
Not as good as I'd hoped, but then i'm not the intended audience. I guess it kept my interest for some of it but was glad to be done when it was over. Need more good books set at this time.
August 12, 2013
Well I think this book was good but maybe not as good. Like I hated how it ended I think it sounded rushed to me personally.
November 12, 2014
Good details on conditions in England that may have led to people being transported. Evocative picture oh how hard life was in the new colony before the 2nd Fleet arrived
July 30, 2016
GOOD BOOK
December 21, 2016
Very interesting. I liked how she cared about lots of people even the ones she doesn't really like.
November 1, 2018
An inteesting read about convicts sent to austrailalia
May 1, 2019
Read this with my year six class. Great intro to Australia as a nation.
November 22, 2019
Another fictional account of adolescent, female history for schoolchildren...of both sexes prrsumably. The 'My Story' series includes no teenage boy narrator: a welcome development?
Boys are just not worth featuring in such a project as this one by Scholastic Children's Books...as many boys struggle to read these enlightened days?!...& who wants to read about those rascals & guttersnipes anyway?!
I used to complain at primary school about the silly stories that were showered on us by predominantly female teachers unable to grasp the notion that if young boys aren't given stimulating books to read & discuss...perhaps...they'll never get the appetite for reading! I ignored my teachers & read what I wanted...& spent hours staring out of the window...& allowing my imagination to take its own direction...with Hornblower, Sherlock Holmes & tales of courageous men taking on the hostile world of real life! End of rant!
Boys are just not worth featuring in such a project as this one by Scholastic Children's Books...as many boys struggle to read these enlightened days?!...& who wants to read about those rascals & guttersnipes anyway?!
I used to complain at primary school about the silly stories that were showered on us by predominantly female teachers unable to grasp the notion that if young boys aren't given stimulating books to read & discuss...perhaps...they'll never get the appetite for reading! I ignored my teachers & read what I wanted...& spent hours staring out of the window...& allowing my imagination to take its own direction...with Hornblower, Sherlock Holmes & tales of courageous men taking on the hostile world of real life! End of rant!
December 19, 2021
Elizabeth Harvey is a young London girl sent to Australia as a convict.
The story is told through diary entries and is very accurate. Lizzie at the time of being starving and overworked ends up working for a Surgeon and his family, Lizzie cares for young Emily and is on edge around Soldier Winston.
The book is pretty easy to read, however, there wasn't a true climax in this book in my opinion.
Also, my copy of this book seems to not exist on Goodreads so I am reviewing it on this since mine does not say Transported. Mine says Surviving Sydney Cove.
The book will make you realize how lucky you are, these people were suffering from sickness and starvation, lacking education and so much more. Reading this historical fiction novel talking about that time period caused me to reflect upon what we've gained in 2o21.
You are pulled into that world and after finishing, you look around you and go, "Wow"
The story is told through diary entries and is very accurate. Lizzie at the time of being starving and overworked ends up working for a Surgeon and his family, Lizzie cares for young Emily and is on edge around Soldier Winston.
The book is pretty easy to read, however, there wasn't a true climax in this book in my opinion.
Also, my copy of this book seems to not exist on Goodreads so I am reviewing it on this since mine does not say Transported. Mine says Surviving Sydney Cove.
The book will make you realize how lucky you are, these people were suffering from sickness and starvation, lacking education and so much more. Reading this historical fiction novel talking about that time period caused me to reflect upon what we've gained in 2o21.
You are pulled into that world and after finishing, you look around you and go, "Wow"
February 7, 2024
Set in Sydney Cove in the 1790’s, this story tells how Lizzie Harvey, a young girl and a convict, survives in the terrible early years of colonisation. Sarah, an older convict, is her mentor and surrogate mother, teaching her all she knows. Lizzie knows her letters, but Sarah advises keeping that to herself. If anyone should find out she can read and write, Lizzie may be moved away.
Lizzie trades two onions she steals from her master to buy a journal. She plans to write to her younger brother, who she left behind in England, so he should know her life. Lizzie describes the people around her, the difficulties living in such desperate times, and her new life when she is moved to care for Emily. What happens to Emily, and what does that mean for Lizzie? Will her brother ever know what became of his sister?
I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of life in the 1790s in Sydney and what it meant to everyone there.
Recommended for readers eight years and older.
Lizzie trades two onions she steals from her master to buy a journal. She plans to write to her younger brother, who she left behind in England, so he should know her life. Lizzie describes the people around her, the difficulties living in such desperate times, and her new life when she is moved to care for Emily. What happens to Emily, and what does that mean for Lizzie? Will her brother ever know what became of his sister?
I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of life in the 1790s in Sydney and what it meant to everyone there.
Recommended for readers eight years and older.
September 24, 2022
As someone who only knows general bits of Australia’s history, I thought this story was a very good introduction. It packs a lot into two months of entries and maybe could have been spread out a little more. There were a couple typos, such as in the historical note where it had America declaring independence in 1766 instead of 1776.
August 10, 2019
An honest, yet fictional, recount of what life was like after the first fleet arrived. It was dirty, it was tough and starvation, disease and fear were rife. An eye opening book for my students to gain a basic understanding of our Australian history.
May 8, 2020
A good introduction to young adults about the first English settlers of Australia and the harsh life they had. Doesn't shy away from the horrors of the effects on the settlers and the original inhabitants.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews