image of person or book cover 7437333776224645703.jpg
Image courtesy of publisher's website.
y separately published work icon Birrung : The Secret Friend single work   children's fiction   children's  
Is part of The Secret Histories Jackie French , 2015 series - author children's fiction (number 1 in series)
Issue Details: First known date: 2015... 2015 Birrung : The Secret Friend
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'The first in a new series that focuses on a secret part of our history

'From best-selling and award-winning author Jackie French comes a new series for younger readers called the Secret Histories.

this first book in the series tells the story of a young indigenous girl Birrung who befriends orphaned Barney and his friend Elsie. Birrung is living with Mr Johnson, chaplain to the Australian colony in 1790, and his family. Generous in spirit, the Johnson family also take in Barney and Elsie who have only just been surviving on their meagre daily rations. Despite living with the Johnsons, Birrung's connection to her people remains strong, and when Mr and Mrs Johnson see how Barney's feeling for Birrung are growing, they gently explain that his friendship with a 'native' girl and all that she taught him about her language and lore must remain a secret - forever.' (Publication summary)

Teaching Resources

Teaching Resources

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Teachers' notes via publisher's website.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Sydney South, South Sydney area, Sydney Southern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,: HarperCollins Australia , 2015 .
      image of person or book cover 7437333776224645703.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 144p.
      Note/s:
      • Publication date: 27 January 2015
      ISBN: 9781460703212

Works about this Work

Best Reads – End of Story Deborah Bogle , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: The Sunday Mail , 20 December 2015; (p. 24)
Review : Birrung the Secret Friend Emily Meldrum , 2015 2015 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time , May 2015;

— Review of Birrung : The Secret Friend Jackie French , 2015 single work children's fiction
[Review] Birrung : The Secret Friend Katharine England , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 14 March 2015; (p. 26)

— Review of Birrung : The Secret Friend Jackie French , 2015 single work children's fiction
Review : Shammini Flint Vicki Thornton , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , March vol. 30 no. 1 2015; (p. 34)

— Review of Birrung : The Secret Friend Jackie French , 2015 single work children's fiction
Review : Shammini Flint Vicki Thornton , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , March vol. 30 no. 1 2015; (p. 34)

— Review of Birrung : The Secret Friend Jackie French , 2015 single work children's fiction
[Review] Birrung : The Secret Friend Katharine England , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 14 March 2015; (p. 26)

— Review of Birrung : The Secret Friend Jackie French , 2015 single work children's fiction
Review : Birrung the Secret Friend Emily Meldrum , 2015 2015 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time , May 2015;

— Review of Birrung : The Secret Friend Jackie French , 2015 single work children's fiction
Best Reads – End of Story Deborah Bogle , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: The Sunday Mail , 20 December 2015; (p. 24)
Last amended 14 Apr 2020 08:49:07
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