Audrey of the Outback # 1
Author: Christine Harris
Illustrator: Ann James
ISBN: 978-1921272189
Publisher: Little Hare Books 2008
The Australian outback of 1930 is Audrey's backyard.
Audrey is a girl with a lot on her mind. Her dad has gone away to work, her brother Price thinks he's too old for games, and little Dougie likes pretending to be a bird.
Awards
- Children's Book Council of Australia, Book of the Year - Younger Readers, shortlisted
- White Raven International Award 2009, International Youth Library Munich. The award is given to books that deserve worldwide attention because of their universal themes and/or their exceptional, innovative artistic and literary style and design.
- WAYRBA (Western Australian Young Readers Book Award) Younger Readers 2009, shortlisted
- Readings Bookstore: Top Ten Books of 2009
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Reviews
I have just read Audrey Of The Outback. I love it so much. It's really a book for grown
ups too, because it tells of such familiar happenings in the lives of old
people like me.
How did you know
so much about my childhood at Whyte Yarcowie? So many things Audrey did, I
remember doing. Our long drop had hessian around it, or it did have until a big
gust of wind blew it away. When I was seven I
was called "Toothless Terror". My uncle Dennis also said I had been
vaccinated with a gramophone needle.
Love it so much!
Pauline
The story is so evocative of a bygone era. Jellies are set in the well, perhaps forever suspending an inquisitive frog, and long-drop dunnies are accidentally blown up with kerosene and matches. Audrey’s family lives in outback Australia, and her world is a fascinating mix of invisible camels and tooth-pulling swaggies. Each character’s voice is individual, from little Dougie to Mr Akbar, the camel-driving postman. There’s a glossary at the back, to help kids understand some of the special vocabulary, and Ann James’ gorgeous line drawings support the text.
In all her adventures, Audrey shows herself to be a delightful girl with an independent spirit and an enquiring nature. After an abortive attempt to be a swagman, she decides to be a man instead, lowering her voice and checking for nose hairs. You can’t suppress a ripple of laughter as you flip the page, eager to find out what Audrey does next.
It’s obvious that meticulous research supports Audrey of the Outback. It would make a great fiction resource for a teaching unit on Australia. I think it would appeal to 8-12 year-olds who are independent readers, but like short, fast chapters. I could also see kids from other countries enjoying this way of finding out about Australia’s past.
Susan Stephenson, The Book Chook
I just loved Audrey of the Outback. It was fabulous, I couldn't put my book down. I think it's the best book I have ever read.
I thought it was a fabulous story about finding out who you really are.I would like to be Audrey's friend because she is adventurous and brave and I think I would have a lot of fun with her. My favourite part was when Audrey's Dad said that she was a bonza little girl. I also loved Stumpy and I hope he is going to town with her in the next book.
Annabelle, Year 4 Ravenswood NSW
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