BOOK REVIEW: A rose for the ANZAC boys by Jackie French

Jackie French is one of Australia’s most prolific and diverse children’s authors. Her latest novel A rose for the ANZAC boys  has been short listed for the “2009 Children’s Book of the Year for Older Readers”. 

As the title suggests, the story is set during the First World War in 1915. As Europe, is torn apart by war, 16 year-old Midge Macpherson enrols at a finishing school in England. At the same time, her brothers are in the army and her twin brother, Tim, is listed as missing in the Gallipoli Campaign. Spurred on by the news of her missing brother, Midge, bored within finishing school, goes to France with two of her best friends, Anne and Ethel, with the purpose of establishing a canteen to provide meals to the troops travelling to the Western Front. As the girls deal with tens of thousands of soldiers who pass through their lives, they discover hidden strengths and abilities.

In A rose for the ANZAC boys,  Jackie French has written a novel which focuses on the contribution of women in World War One and in particular, young girls. She has included at the end of the book a collection of notes which outline the course of the war and the role young women played in the war.

A rose for the ANZAC boys   is a sensitive novel which explores the impact of the war and the tireless effort and sacrifices of ordinary people in the time of war

Reading level : Year 9 -12
Rating:  (*  *  *  *  *)
Mr. T

BOOK REVIEW COMPETITION

 

The winners of the Book Review Competition were Lachlan W. for his entry reviewing ‘Bravo two zero’ by Andy McNab and Ignatius B. who reviewed ‘Patriot games’ by Tom Clancy.  Congratulations boys a great effort.

Writer in Residence

The Library and English departments welcome

 MICHAEL HYDE

to Senior Campus as Writer in Residence during May 2009

He is the author of  Hey Joe, Max, Tyger Tyger and the recent series Change the game

EASTER EGG COMPETITION

The BRC staff wish to congratulate Henry from year 10, the winner of our annual Easter Egg Competition.

Happy Easter to all students and staff.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

 

The Book Thief is a remarkable book. It is a powerful and unforgettable story. It is the story of young girl’s experience in the German town of Mochtling during the Second World War. Liesel Meminger arrives with her mother one day at the home of Rosa and Hans Hubermann. Her mother abruptly departs, leaving the child in the Hubermann’s care. Nothing more is said of her mother and it is not until years later that Liesel understands her mother’s actions. She quickly integrates into the life of Mochling and through her eyes we see the suffering and deprivation of the German people during the war. Liesel cannot read when she arrives at the Hubermann’s but on the way to Mochling she finds a book. Later, during one night when Liesel has one of her nightmares, her foster father begins to teach her how to read and so begins a long road in which Liesel gradually becomes a competent reader. Not only does Liesel gain enjoyment from reading but her reading aloud brings joy to Max, a Jew whom the family hides in their basement. The same joy is experienced by her later, on reading his story written for her. Events overtake the family, bringing them into conflict with the overriding ideology of the time.

The Book Thief brings to mind another unforgettable novel, To kill a mockingbird in which, through the innocent eyes of a young girl, we witness not only the bitterness of a rural town in 1930’s America but also an unforgettable insight into the life of a small town in America. So it is with The Book Thief, a unique and unforgettable insight into life in a small German town during the height of the war, through the eyes of childhood innocence.

 

Reading level: Year 10-Adult

Rating ( * * * * * )