There were dozens of us on the ship. Boys and girls. We were off to Australia but it might have been the moon.
Alone On A Wide Wide Sea. Michael Morpurgo.
Morpurgo has surprisingly written over 100 books. He was awarded an O.B.E. on the Queen's 80th birthday and an M.B.E. for his work in founding the charity: Farms for City Children.
Aimed at teenagers, this book is compelling reading for adults also.
The author shared Breslin's concern in Kezzie about juvenile emigration or child deportation. Some background is useful in appreciating Arthur and Allie's attempts to establish their identities and discover their families.
Between 1947-67 it was estimated that 7,000-11,000 British children were sent to Australia alone. Others were sent to Canada and New Zealand.
Some of the children got lucky but many-too many were left with broken hearts and broken lives just like Arthur. Cruelty, abuse and exploitation summed up their futures. Records show the average age of these banished children was 8 years and 9 months. These children were stripped of their parents, brothers, sisters and extended families and lost their nationality, culture and more importantly, their birthright. They were deprived of their human rights and any form of dignity.
"There were dozens of us on the ship. |Boys and girls. We were off to Australia but it might have been the moon."
Arthur was one of thousands of youngsters separated from Kitty, his sister at such a tender age. This was 1947. He was vague about his background-his earliest memories became confused. Kitty hangs a key around his neck-symbolic-and London Bridge is Falling Down is referred to throughout, the only memories that he was born in England and had a sister!
Kitty had a pale delicate face with deep dark eyes filled with tears as she said her final farewell to her only kin. Tragically she would never see him again. Arthur was shipped off to Australia dejected and full of despair.
To ease his grief he befriends Marty and relies on his strength and courage. They are both sent to Cooper's Station which represented hell on earth. The boys became slaves and were tortured. It is Marty's strength and support which helped Arthur to endure the pain and suffering to survive.
Life improves when they both run away and are rescued by the bushmen and the eccentric auntie Meg who offers an important lifeline until tragedy strikes once again. Throughout the story Arthur is determined that he wll find Kitty. He marries and his daughter Allie shares her father's aspirations. She continues the narrative going in search of her father's family and the cultural heritage and history he was cruelly deprived of. Arthur didn't make it but Allie's resilience and determination allowed her to discover the truth. A worthwhile adventure for any reader.
Oranges and Sunshine covers similar ground and is a wonderful tear-jerker. I loved them both.
Copyright 2012. permission to use this review must be obtained from the writer.
Morpurgo has surprisingly written over 100 books. He was awarded an O.B.E. on the Queen's 80th birthday and an M.B.E. for his work in founding the charity: Farms for City Children.
Aimed at teenagers, this book is compelling reading for adults also.
The author shared Breslin's concern in Kezzie about juvenile emigration or child deportation. Some background is useful in appreciating Arthur and Allie's attempts to establish their identities and discover their families.
Between 1947-67 it was estimated that 7,000-11,000 British children were sent to Australia alone. Others were sent to Canada and New Zealand.
Some of the children got lucky but many-too many were left with broken hearts and broken lives just like Arthur. Cruelty, abuse and exploitation summed up their futures. Records show the average age of these banished children was 8 years and 9 months. These children were stripped of their parents, brothers, sisters and extended families and lost their nationality, culture and more importantly, their birthright. They were deprived of their human rights and any form of dignity.
"There were dozens of us on the ship. |Boys and girls. We were off to Australia but it might have been the moon."
Arthur was one of thousands of youngsters separated from Kitty, his sister at such a tender age. This was 1947. He was vague about his background-his earliest memories became confused. Kitty hangs a key around his neck-symbolic-and London Bridge is Falling Down is referred to throughout, the only memories that he was born in England and had a sister!
Kitty had a pale delicate face with deep dark eyes filled with tears as she said her final farewell to her only kin. Tragically she would never see him again. Arthur was shipped off to Australia dejected and full of despair.
To ease his grief he befriends Marty and relies on his strength and courage. They are both sent to Cooper's Station which represented hell on earth. The boys became slaves and were tortured. It is Marty's strength and support which helped Arthur to endure the pain and suffering to survive.
Life improves when they both run away and are rescued by the bushmen and the eccentric auntie Meg who offers an important lifeline until tragedy strikes once again. Throughout the story Arthur is determined that he wll find Kitty. He marries and his daughter Allie shares her father's aspirations. She continues the narrative going in search of her father's family and the cultural heritage and history he was cruelly deprived of. Arthur didn't make it but Allie's resilience and determination allowed her to discover the truth. A worthwhile adventure for any reader.
Oranges and Sunshine covers similar ground and is a wonderful tear-jerker. I loved them both.
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