The ink bridge – Neil Grant

Grant’s penmanship transports the reader to a world known only by Afghanis.  The abject fear instilled in them by the Taliban and by the poverty, hardship and sheer terror that surrounds them on a daily basis unfold slowly and clearly reaching into the very soul of those reading it.  Grant’s choice of words and phrases and his manipulation of them to create not only a story but a mood and atmosphere make this novel stand out.  Omed and Hec, the two main characters, one an Afghani and the other an Australian, are so credible that they feel as though they are in the room with us as we read.  Never again, on completion of this read, is it possible to consider ‘asylum seekers’ as we had previously.    A poignantly told story of Afghanistan and its people.  A great read.

Rating:  *****
Theme Fiction:  Historical Fiction
Suitable:  Year 9-12+

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The wrong boy – Suzy Zail

While trying to paint a picture of the bleak and horrific realities of the Holocaust, Zail has aimed to increase readership amongst the young adult audience likely to read this book by throwing in an unlikely ‘love story’ with characters that don’t seem wholly credible.  This tactic however, not only detracts from the novel’s main theme, but tends to ‘ease’ the horror that faced those tortured, starved, gassed and executed at the notorious concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.  Zail’s writing style, which tends to paint broad sweeping scenes that jump awkwardly in time, place and location, may only be best understood by those readers very familiar with historical facts of the Holocaust.  For those without this in depth knowledge, the picture created tends to be far ‘rosier’ than reality.

Rating: ***
Theme Fiction: Historical Fiction
Suitable:  Year 9-12

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Auslander – Paul Dowswell

Although a bit slow to start, this develops into a great read which realistically describes the experience of a young German boy during Second World War. Sent to live in an orphanage in Warsaw after his parents are killed by the Russians, Peter is soon fostered by a German family who regard his ‘Aryan’ looks to be perfect. Given the best of everything, Peter starts to question his privileged lifestyle, realizing that fitting the mould set for him is not all that easy. Paul Dowswell’s novel, based on historical fact, provides much insight into many issues surrounding those difficult war years.

Rating:  *****
Theme Fiction:  Historical Fiction
Suitable:  Year 10-12

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A hostage to war: the diary of a young Russian Girl – Tatiana Vassilieva

The diary of a Russian girl who at age 12 endures famine and hardship in her small village,  while trying to fend for her family.  Documenting the four years of hardship endured after she was captured and transported to work in slave labour camps in Germany during World War II, this diary provides a memorable read of the horrors and anguish that accompanies war.

Rating:  *****
Theme Fiction:  Historical Fiction
Suitable:  Year 7-10

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Only the heart – Brian Caswell & David Phu An Chiem

Although the writing style can at times be tedious, the content gives an excellent insight into the distressing lifestyle of those who survived the Vietnam War. The life of the ‘boat people, as they struggled to start a new life in a new country, are very convincingly told to us by Caswell and Phu An Chiem.

 

Rating:  ****
Theme Fiction:  Historical Fiction
Suitable:  Year 9-12+

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Life: An exploded diagram – Mal Peet

Set against the backdrop of the souring relations between the US and Cuba prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis, an unlikely, clandestine love affair between Clem, the son of a working class family and Frankie the only daughter of a wealthy landowner slowly unfolds.  A moving love story which stays with you long after you close the covers of the book.

 

Rating:  *****
Theme Fiction: Historical Fiction
Suitable:  Year 10-12+

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Day after night – Anita Diamant

During the years of the British Mandate over Palestine, immigration into the land was impossible.  Those attempting to enter the country were interred in a detention centre until their cases were processed.   For some, interment in the camp extended for months.  Based on the true story of the October 1945 rescue of more than 200 prisoners from the Atlit internment camp, the story is told through the eyes of four women at the camp – each with very different backgrounds and stories.

Rating:  ****
Theme Fiction:  Historical Fiction
Suitable:   Year 9-12+

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The garbage king – Elizabeth Laird

The unlikely meeting  of two boys, from totally different backgrounds on the streets of Addis Abba, the capital of Ethiopia, makes for an engrossing read.  Struggling with the loneliness that they have each experienced, they join a godana where, under the leadership of Million, they at last regain a sense of value.  Reconnecting with their past and moving into their future is a seemingly insurmountable challenge.  This well written novel by Elizabeth Laird is deserving of having been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2003.

Rating:  *****
Theme Fiction:  Other places & times
Suitable:  Year 7-12+

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Fire in the blood – Irene Nemirovsky

Looking back on his life, Silvio, a bachelor living in a small French village, recounts his life story which is filled with tales of love, passion, murder and secrets.   Told in Silvio’s lilting voice, so cleverly crafted by Nemirovsky, we explore the life of simple people living in simple surroundings – their life, their struggles to find happiness and fulfilment. The tale is atmospheric and haunting, the characters palpable and convincing, the twists and turns of the narrative though are surprising and unexpected.  Written in 1941, but only recently found and published the poignant tale told displays the same penetrating glimpse at the lives of ordinary French people which were so enjoyable in Suite Francaise.

Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Other places & times
Suitable: Year 10-12+

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Soldier boy – Anthony Hill

An extraordinarily well presented true story of the life of Jim Martin, the youngest Anzac.  Through Anthony Hill’s skilful pen, we are not only able to share in the tragic loss of Jim Martin, the agony experienced by his parents and family, but are also able to capture the spirit of the life and times at Gallipoli.  A must read book.

 

Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Other places & times
Suitable: Year 7-12

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