Nirvana's Children
St Lucia
:
University of Queensland Press
,
2001
Z827421
2001
single work
novel
young adult
(taught in 1 units)
'Napolean was born to conquer the world—or something. But the world can be a disappointing place. Busting his way out of school he takes to the streets of the Cross, hooking up with Sammie, an astro-chick with attitude and a sweet tooth.
Napolean soon falls into the orbit of the doll-faced, charismatic gang leader, Blondie, & the battle begins. What's to be done when the kids are planning Armageddon & Luna Park just keeps laughing?' (Source: Eidolon.net)
The Secret River
Melbourne
:
Text Publishing
,
2005
Z1194031
2005
single work
novel
historical fiction
(taught in 69 units)
'In 1806 William Thornhill, a man of quick temper and deep feelings, is transported from the slums of London to New South Wales for the term of his natural life. With his wife Sal and their children he arrives in a harsh land he cannot understand.
'But the colony can turn a convict into a free man. Eight years later Thornhill sails up the Hawkesbury to claim a hundred acres for himself.
'Aboriginal people already live on that river. And other recent arrivals - Thomas Blackwood, Smasher Sullivan and Mrs Herring - are finding their own ways to respond to them.
'Thornhill, a man neither better nor worse than most, soon has to make the most difficult choice of his life.
'Inspired by research into her own family history, Kate Grenville vividly creates the reality of settler life, its longings, dangers and dilemmas. The Secret River is a brilliantly written book, a groundbreaking story about identity, belonging and ownership.' (From the publisher's website.)
Underground
Crows Nest
:
Allen and Unwin
,
2006
Z1288628
2006
single work
novel
thriller
satire
(taught in 2 units)
'Think ahead five or so years from now, to an Australia transformed by the never-ending war on terror. Canberra has been wiped out in a nuclear attack. There is a permanent state of emergency. Security checkpoints, citizenship tests, identity cards and detention without trial have all become the norm. Suspect minorities have been locked away into ghettos. And worse no one wants to play cricket with us anymore. Enter Leo James burnt-out property developer and black-sheep twin brother of the all powerful Bernard James, Prime Minister of Australia. In an event all too typical of the times, Leo finds himself abducted by terrorists. But this won't be your average kidnapping. Instead, vast and secret forces are at work here, and Leo and his captors are about to embark on a journey into the underworld of a nation gone mad.' (Libraries Australia)
Dancing the Boom-Cha-Cha Boogie
Narelle Oliver
(illustrator),
Norwood
:
Omnibus Books
,
2005
Z1201221
2005
single work
picture book
children's
(taught in 1 units)
'An appealing fantasy adventure that is also an allegory about identity and being foreign. It is an ideal book to introduce young children to the complex subject of the treatment of refugees.' (Libraries Australia record).
Loaded
Milsons Point
:
Vintage Australia
,
1995
Z565443
1995
single work
novel
(taught in 40 units)
'Families can detonate. Some families are torn apart forever by one small act, one solitary mistake. In my family it was a series of small explosions; consistent, passionate, pathetic. Cruel words, crude threats... We spurred each other on till we reached a crescendo of pain and we retired exhausted to our rooms, in tears or in fury.
'Ari is nineteen, unemployed and a poofter who doesn't want to be gay. He is looking for something - anything - to take him away from his aimless existence in suburban Melbourne. He doesn't believe in anyone or anything, except the power of music. All he wants to do is dance, take drugs, have sex and change the world.
'For Ari, all the orthodoxies of family, sex, politics and work have collapsed. Caught between the traditional Greek world of his parents and friends and the alluring, destructive world of clubs, chemicals and anonymous sex, all Ari can do is ease his pain in the only ways he knows how.
'Written in stark, uncompromising prose, Loaded is a first novel of great passion and power.' (From the publisher's website.)
Coonardoo : The Well in the Shadow
1928
Z1081769
1928
single work
novel
(taught in 39 units)
Set in North-West of Western Australia, it describes life on cattle stations and the relationship between the white owner of the station and Coonardoo, an Aboriginal woman.
Extra Information:
Students will acquire the following statistical, information, computer and academic literacy as a result of explicit teaching / learning activities in this subject: Coherent knowledge of an aspect of the English discipline; Self confidence in oral communication; Increased competency in written communication; Increased skill in critical analysis; Application of cultural and intellectual diversity; Increased understanding of acquiring, organising and presenting information.
Subject Objectives:
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to: Identify some of the cultural, political, ideological and intellectual background to the dominant story of the Australian nation; Use scholarly commentaries and a variety of literary, historical and social theories to construct sophisticated, theorised and critical readings of texts; Test ideas and arguments before student colleagues and teachers in oral form; Demonstrate a respect for the ideas of others and offer critical and informed responses to them.
