Praise for A Rose for the Anzac Boys‘ A book of many voices. Poignant, graphic and compulsive fiction about women who volunteered during WWI.’ Sunday Age‘Beautifully written. An important story. The use of a sixteen year old protagonist will make the story more real and more confronting for teen readers.’Aussie Reviews‘A well-researched story about the invaluable support women provided during the war. Recommended for secondary school-aged children.’Australian Bookseller and Publisher‘… rousing stuff, and it hasn’t been watered down. French doesn’t shy away from the nightmarish conditions of trench warfare. Highly readable, scrupulous in its history … an ideal text for schools.’Sydney Morning Herald‘… entertaining and uplifting.’Sun-Guardian Blacktown‘This is a moving story about the love, kindness and humanity of the people involved in the bloodshed and carnage of World War I.’Launceston Examiner‘Jackie has woven her usual magic with her deft light touch and humour in this gripping story.’Toowoomba Chronicle‘A warm tribute to extraordinary women in extraordinary times. We must remember them.’Woman’s Day‘Younger readers will enjoy this story about the soldiers of World War I and the volunteers who supported them.’Brisbane News‘Comprehensively researched and beautifully written’South Coast Register
Description
The story behind Banjo Paterson's iconic Australian song.
'Once a jolly swagman camped by a Billabong
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his Billy boiled
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me...'
In 1894, twelve-year-old Matilda flees the city slums to find her unknown father and his farm. But drought grips the land, and the shearers are on strike. Her father has turned swaggie and he's wanted by the troopers. In front of his terrified daughter, he makes a stand against them, defiant to the last. 'You'll never catch me alive, said he...'
Set against a backdrop of bushfire, flood, war and jubilation, this is the story of one girl's journey towards independence. It is also the story of others who had no vote and very little but their dreams.
Drawing on the well-known poem by A.B. Paterson and from events rooted in actual history, this is the untold story behind Australia's early years as an emerging nation.
PRAISE
'Jackie French has a passion for history, and an enviable ability to weave the fascinating minutiae of everyday life into a good story.' -- Magpies Magazine
