AustLit
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'BELTANA SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1875
Twelve-year-old Taj and his camel Mustara are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
They are joining explorer Ernest Giles on his second attempt to cross the Australian Desert where wild dogs, scorpions, poisonous snakes and a constant shortage of water mean they are never far from disaster.
As if things weren't tough enough, Taj, raised in the ways of the Afghan people, is struggling to find his place in this new and exciting land.' (Publisher's blurb)
Twelve-year-old Taj and his camel Mustara are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
They are joining explorer Ernest Giles on his second attempt to cross the Australian Desert where wild dogs, scorpions, poisonous snakes and a constant shortage of water mean they are never far from disaster.
As if things weren't tough enough, Taj, raised in the ways of the Afghan people, is struggling to find his place in this new and exciting land.' (Publisher's blurb)
Teaching Resources
This work has teaching resources.
Teachers' notes via publisher's website.
Notes
-
For primary school age.
-
Dedication: For Allan & Joy Hawke
-
Epigraph:
In the Desert of the heart,
Let the healing start;
In the prison of his days,
Teach the free man to praise.
- W H Auden
Affiliation Notes
-
This work is affiliated with the AustLit subset Asian-Australian Children's Literature and Publishing because it has Afghan characters.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Related Works
-
y
Mustara
Robert Ingpen
(illustrator),
South Melbourne
:
Lothian
,
2006
Z1247328
2006
single work
picture book
children's
historical fiction
'The year is 1875 and Thomas Elder of Beltana Station fits out explorer Ernest Giles' expedition to find a way across the desert. This story is told by Emmeline Elder's daughter and Taj an Afghan boy whose camel is thought too young and inexperienced to join the expedition until it saves the lives of Emmeline and Taj.' (Source: QUT Library Catalogue)
Works about this Work
-
Interview with Rosanne Hawke
Michelle Dicinoski
(interviewer),
2012
single work
interview
— Appears in: Asian-Australian Children's Literature : Interviews with Seven Authors 2012; (p. 24-26) Rosanne Hawke discusses researching and writing her books, and the kinds of care and sensitivity required when writing about cultures that are different from one's own. -
Untitled
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Childrens' Book Council of Australia , August vol. 55 no. 3 2011; (p. 36)
— Review of Taj and the Great Camel Trek 2011 single work children's fiction -
[Review] A Waltz for Matilda [and] Taj and the Great Camel Trek
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Viewpoint : On Books for Young Adults , Spring vol. 19 no. 3 2011; (p. 39-40)
— Review of A Waltz for Matilda 2010 single work single work children's fiction ; Taj and the Great Camel Trek 2011 single work children's fiction -
[Review] Taj and the Great Camel Trek
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 334 2011; (p. 67)
— Review of Taj and the Great Camel Trek 2011 single work children's fiction -
[Review] Taj and the Great Camel Trek
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 26 no. 2 2011; (p. 33)
— Review of Taj and the Great Camel Trek 2011 single work children's fiction
-
Untitled
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Bookseller + Publisher Magazine , April vol. 90 no. 7 2011; (p. 37)
— Review of Taj and the Great Camel Trek 2011 single work children's fiction -
Kid Flicks
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 14 - 15 May 2011; (p. 24)
— Review of Taj and the Great Camel Trek 2011 single work children's fiction -
Untitled
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 23 July 2011; (p. 29)
— Review of Taj and the Great Camel Trek 2011 single work children's fiction -
[Review] Taj and the Great Camel Trek
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 26 no. 2 2011; (p. 33)
— Review of Taj and the Great Camel Trek 2011 single work children's fiction -
[Review] Taj and the Great Camel Trek
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 334 2011; (p. 67)
— Review of Taj and the Great Camel Trek 2011 single work children's fiction -
Interview with Rosanne Hawke
Michelle Dicinoski
(interviewer),
2012
single work
interview
— Appears in: Asian-Australian Children's Literature : Interviews with Seven Authors 2012; (p. 24-26) Rosanne Hawke discusses researching and writing her books, and the kinds of care and sensitivity required when writing about cultures that are different from one's own.
Awards
- 2012 CBCA Book of the Year Awards — Notable Book — Younger Readers
- 2012 shortlisted New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards — Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Books
- 2012 shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards — Best Language Development Book for Upper Primary Children (2005-2013)
- 2012 winner Festival Awards for Literature (SA) Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature South Australian Literary Awards — Children's Literature Award
Last amended 23 Apr 2020 14:20:17
Settings:
- Beltana, Flinders Ranges, North East South Australia, Far North South Australia, South Australia,
- Port Augusta, Port Augusta area, Mid North South Australia, South Australia,
Export this record
