'This article explores the role that genre plays in fictional depictions of the Stolen Generations (Australian Indigenous children removed from their homes) in three twenty-first-century Australian middle-grade novels: Who Am I?: The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937 by Anita Heiss (2001); The Poppy Stories: Four Books in One by Gabrielle Wang (2016); and Sister Heart by Sally Morgan (2016). It argues that the genres of fictional diary, adventure story and verse novel invite different reading practices and approaches to history, and shape the ways in which the texts depict, for children, the suffering and resilience of the Stolen Generations.' (Publication abstract)
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'A young Aboriginal girl is taken from the north of Australia and sent to an institution in the distant south. There, she slowly makes a new life for herself and, in the face of tragedy, finds strength in new friendships. Poignantly told from the child’s perspective, Sister Heart affirms the power of family and kinship.' (Publication summary)
Exhibitions
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Teaching Resources
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Teaching notes via Booktopia.
Notes
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A novel in verse form.
-
Other resources :
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Dyslexic edition.
Works about this Work
-
Genre, History, and the Stolen Generations : Three Australian Stories
2020
single work
criticism
— Appears in: International Research in Children’s Literature , December vol. 13 no. 2 2020; (p. 259-273) -
Reading and Viewing : [Indigenous Texts for Year 7 - 10]
2019
single work
criticism
— Appears in: English in Australia , vol. 54 no. 1 2019; (p. 76-82) -
The Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year Awards: the Winners Your Kids Must Read
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: Brisbane Times , 19 August 2016;'There is a paradox in Australian children's literature and it is this: in an age where the young are attached to the very digital devices predicted to crucify the printed book, children's book publishing is in robust health. Not surviving but thriving.'
'Children's book sales have been on the rise on the back of vibrant stories from Mem Fox, Jackie French and Bob Graham and many others. ...'
-
Morgan Wins PM's Award
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 16 November no. 639 2016; (p. 59) 'Sally Morgan's Sister Heart has taken out the children's section of this year's Prime Minister's Literary Awards ...' -
Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2016 : Judges Split Three of the $80,000 Prizes
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: Brisbane Times , 8 November 2016; 'Two years ago there was quite a kerfuffle when Tony Abbott intervened at the last moment to ensure the Prime Minister's Literary Award for fiction was shared between the novelist the judges had selected, Steven Carroll, and the PM's captain's pick, Richard Flanagan. ...'
-
Past and Present Collide in Picture of Different Worlds
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 14-15 November 2015; (p. 25) The Saturday Age , 14-15 November 2015; (p. 25)
— Review of Sea Horse 2015 single work children's fiction ; Cyclone Fever 2015 single work children's fiction ; Sister Heart 2015 single work children's fiction -
Review : Sister Heart
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking about Books for Children , September vol. 30 no. 4 2015; (p. 43)
— Review of Sister Heart 2015 single work children's fiction -
The Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year Awards: the Winners Your Kids Must Read
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: Brisbane Times , 19 August 2016;'There is a paradox in Australian children's literature and it is this: in an age where the young are attached to the very digital devices predicted to crucify the printed book, children's book publishing is in robust health. Not surviving but thriving.'
'Children's book sales have been on the rise on the back of vibrant stories from Mem Fox, Jackie French and Bob Graham and many others. ...'
-
Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2016 : Judges Split Three of the $80,000 Prizes
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: Brisbane Times , 8 November 2016; 'Two years ago there was quite a kerfuffle when Tony Abbott intervened at the last moment to ensure the Prime Minister's Literary Award for fiction was shared between the novelist the judges had selected, Steven Carroll, and the PM's captain's pick, Richard Flanagan. ...' -
Morgan Wins PM's Award
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 16 November no. 639 2016; (p. 59) 'Sally Morgan's Sister Heart has taken out the children's section of this year's Prime Minister's Literary Awards ...' -
Reading and Viewing : [Indigenous Texts for Year 7 - 10]
2019
single work
criticism
— Appears in: English in Australia , vol. 54 no. 1 2019; (p. 76-82) -
Genre, History, and the Stolen Generations : Three Australian Stories
2020
single work
criticism
— Appears in: International Research in Children’s Literature , December vol. 13 no. 2 2020; (p. 259-273)'This article explores the role that genre plays in fictional depictions of the Stolen Generations (Australian Indigenous children removed from their homes) in three twenty-first-century Australian middle-grade novels: Who Am I?: The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937 by Anita Heiss (2001); The Poppy Stories: Four Books in One by Gabrielle Wang (2016); and Sister Heart by Sally Morgan (2016). It argues that the genres of fictional diary, adventure story and verse novel invite different reading practices and approaches to history, and shape the ways in which the texts depict, for children, the suffering and resilience of the Stolen Generations.' (Publication abstract)
Awards
- 2021 honour book KOALA Awards — Fiction for Years 7-9
- 2021 shortlisted REAL Awards — Fiction for Years 7-9
- 2018 shortlisted Festival Awards for Literature (SA) Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature South Australian Literary Awards — Children's Literature Award
- 2017 shortlisted West Australian Young Readers' Book Award — Younger Readers
- 2016 honours CBCA Book of the Year Awards — Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Last amended 11 Mar 2022 10:48:07
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