y separately published work icon Making Tracks series - publisher   children's fiction   children's  
Issue Details: First known date: 2006-... 2006- Making Tracks
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Notes

  • 'Making Tracks takes young readers on a fictional journey through some fascinating Australian stories, inspired by objects from the National Museum of Australia's collection.'

    Source: National Museum of Australia website, http://www.nma.gov.au/kidz/making_tracks/
    Sighted: 14/06/2006, 17/06/2009

Includes

y separately published work icon Across the Dark Sea Wendy Orr , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006 Z1276575 2006 single work children's fiction children's

'Trung's family is tragically separated during their attempt to escape to a new country. A raid by soldiers means that only Trung and his father make it onto the boat headed for freedom. Trung's mother and little sister are left behind in Vietnam. Trung's journey, in the hull of a crowded fishing boat, is fraught with danger and full of loneliness. His estranged father is too sad and desperate to offer much comfort.

Even when Trung arrives in Australia, his difficult journey continues. He has to contend with strange foods, streets, buildings and a new language. He begins school but feels alienated from the other students and staff. He is left alone with many hours to fill.

And throughout his journey he desperately misses his mother and sister in Vietnam. He writes them letters at first in his head and then on paper but a reply does not arrive.

Trung starts to develop a friendship with Andrew, who is also grieving the loss of his home. And, finally, one day a letter arrives from his mother in Vietnam. Trung's dark journey does not end, but he begins to hope again.' (National Museum)

Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006
y separately published work icon One Perfect Day Jackie French , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006 Z1276593 2006 single work children's fiction children's

'It is May 9, 1927 and celebrations to mark the opening of Parliament House are underway in the small town of Canberra. But, for Billy, an orphaned farmhand on a nearby property, it is just another day of hard work and loneliness. His only friend is the work dog, Dusty.

Billy's plans change, however, when he learns that Dusty is to be shot and replaced by a younger dog. Billy sets off for the celebrations in the hope of finding a new owner for Dusty.

Billy never reaches Parliament House. On his way he befriends a chauffeur, Mr Thompson, and his young passenger, Myrtle. Their car has broken down on the way to the opening ceremony and they are stranded on the side of the road. Billy finds a home for Dusty, and the three share their stories: Myrtle tells of her desire to be Australia's first female Prime Minister; Mr Thompson talks about his wife who "vanished" during the war; and Billy explains that his father went missing in action before his mother died.

Despite Mr Thompson's belief that "things like this don't happen", Myrtle makes a connection between the stories and realises that Billy is Mr Thompson's son.' (National Museum)

Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006
y separately published work icon Ray's Olympics Libby Gleeson , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006 Z1276597 2006 single work children's fiction children's

'The 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games are about to begin and everybody wants to watch them. Mick Leary has a new television, tickets to the Games and a cousin competing in the water polo team. Ray, who is in the same class as Mick, has to make do with sitting on the pavement watching a television in a shop window. It doesn't seem fair!

When the other children follow the boasting Leary boys around the playground, Ray retaliates by telling a lie. He announces that he is also going to the Games with his cousin, who is filming the Olympics from the new ABC broadcast van.

Mick doesn't believe Ray's story and demands proof in the form of a photo. Ray realises that he needs an excellent plan or he will be in all sorts of trouble with Mick and his rough brothers. And so begins Ray's own Olympic challenge. In trying to deal with the situation he has created, Ray gets some help from his brother, advice from his grandfather and support from his friend Skeeta.

Ray manages to get into the Games, find the ABC van and meet a new "cousin" who is happy to be photographed with Ray on the ABC van. It may have been a lie, but Ray gets the proof he needs.' (National Museum)

Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006
y separately published work icon Robbie and the Dolphins Justin D'Ath , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006 Z1276606 2006 single work children's fiction children's

'During a Sunday School picnic Robbie, wheelchair-bound and lonely, meets a returned soldier called Alan. Robbie, who tires of watching the other children play, follows Alan to where he is fishing on the nearby jetty. When Robbie wheels himself to the end of the jetty, he experiences a little dolphin magic: his cap is blown from his head and then thrown back to him by a passing dolphin. The event is so amazing that Robbie cannot convince Alan that it happened at all!

Although Robbie returns to watch the Sunday School cricket match he is determined to get back to the jetty. Despite the worsening weather, Robbie makes his way back to the empty jetty and spots the dolphin again. Robbie soon realises that the dolphin is asking him for help: she has a calf that is trapped and drowning beneath the jetty.

Using all his courage and strength, Robbie enters the water, and with a little help from Alan (who returns just in time) manages to cut the calf free from some tangled fishing line. This amazing achievement allows Robbie to discover his own strength. It also leads to Robbie being able to tell Alan about his father who did not return from the war.' (National Museum)

Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006
y separately published work icon River Boy Anthony Hill , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006 Z1341614 2006 single work children's fiction children's When Nat Shannon ran away from his uncle's farm to join the river boats, his escape was easier than the boy ever imagined. Nat is asked to help out on a paddle steamer. It's his dream and he's even getting paid for it! But he's got a secret that could not only risk his own life but the lives of the entire crew. Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006
y separately published work icon The Saw Doctor Gary Crew , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006 Z1341803 2006 single work children's fiction children's Jo Boy's family is suffering because of the Depression but through a chance meeting with someone who sharpens tools, and some ingenuity, Jo Boy create's some hope. Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006
y separately published work icon Caravan Kids Libby Hathorn , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006 Z1341829 2006 single work children's fiction children's The Smyths win a caravan in a raffle, but despite the chance they will have to sell it, they take off for a first and last beach holiday. Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006
y separately published work icon The Hold-Up Heroes Dianne Bates , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006 Z1341845 2006 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction Polly and James accidentally overhear a gang of bushrangers plotting to hold up the Governor. What's worse is that their dad might be helping them. Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2006
y separately published work icon A Penny to Remember Kirsty Murray , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007 Z1447575 2007 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction When George is sentenced to seven years hard labour in Van Dieman's land he engraves a penny for his sister to remember him by. Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007
y separately published work icon Seams of Gold Chris Cheng , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007 Z1447596 2007 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction "It is the 1850s and Danny has been left with his Uncle while his father and mother travel back to China. His Uncle was a gold miner like many other Chinese men but now his skills are utilised by all the townspeople and the miners in stitching or repairing anything that requires his sewing skills and his special threads - even sewing the canvas tents. While with his Uncle, Danny learns to sew and is called upon to use the needle and thread when disaster strikes the touring Chinese Opera troupe. "I wanted to tell him that sewing is women's work, not men's work." But Danny knows that he has to respect his uncle and do as he says, even if that means joining him on a sewing trip to the goldfields. Danny would rather be anywhere else ... until he takes things into his own hands!" (Source: Author's website) Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007
y separately published work icon The Other Side Sally Morgan , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007 Z1447728 2007 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction Alex's grandfather was always fighting for one cause or another, but after a strange 'out of body' experience Alex decides to join him in an effort to save the bush for native animals. Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007
y separately published work icon The Day I Was History Jackie French , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007 Z1460845 2007 single work children's fiction children's 'Sam's Saturday begins like any other but he is soon battling wind, flames and blackened skies as he desperately tries to find his home.' Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007
y separately published work icon Antarctic Close-Up Hazel Edwards , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007 Z1599682 2007 single work children's fiction children's

John loves to fiddle with things, but when he connects a broken webcam to an old telescope he is in for a shock. Suddenly he finds himself looking back in time, caught up in a very 'cool' Antarctic adventure.' (National Museum)

Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2007
y separately published work icon Turning the Page Felicity Pulman , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2008 Z1599716 2008 single work children's fiction children's

'Maggie is working as a children's nurse in the big house when she finds a copybook and decides to teach herself to read. She knows she shouldn't really take the book, and things only get worse when the mistress sends her home in disgrace.' (National Museum)

Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2008
y separately published work icon Tibby's Leaf Ursula Dubosarsky , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2008 Z1599734 2008 single work children's fiction children's

'Tibby feels like everything is going wrong. Her big brother Clarence is all grown up, and doesn't want to play with her any more. If Clarence says there aren't any pixies except in books, then what exactly did Tibby see in the bush, peering out from behind a leaf?' (National Museum)

Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2008
y separately published work icon The Red Camel Kirsty Murray , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2008 Z1599749 2008 single work children's fiction children's

'Ruby doesn't like working for the Nortons. She wants to go back to Alice Springs to live with her mum. Will Idris, the Afghan boy who works with the camels, help her to return home?' (National Museum)

Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2008
y separately published work icon Daisy Sunshine Susanne Gervay , Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2009 Z1599804 2009 single work children's fiction children's

'Daisy and her mum have just moved into the Grand Private Hotel belonging to Mr and Mrs Papadopolous. It's all new and strange, but Nina, Old Dot, the Colonel and especially Rainbow Rose are there to help them make a new life for themselves. But what's so special about the year 1975?' (National Museum)

Canberra : National Museum of Australia Press , 2009

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2006-2008

Works about this Work

[Review] Making Tracks Jane Connolly , 2008 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , March vol. 23 no. 1 2008; (p. 33)

— Review of Making Tracks 2006- series - publisher children's fiction
The Overflow Rosemary Sorensen , 2008 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 22-23 March 2008; (p. 9)
A column canvassing current literary news including the probable demise of the National Museum's Making Tracks series as a result of Federal budget cuts.
[Review] Making Tracks Jane Connolly , 2008 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , March vol. 23 no. 1 2008; (p. 33)

— Review of Making Tracks 2006- series - publisher children's fiction
The Overflow Rosemary Sorensen , 2008 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 22-23 March 2008; (p. 9)
A column canvassing current literary news including the probable demise of the National Museum's Making Tracks series as a result of Federal budget cuts.
Last amended 23 Aug 2021 13:36:13
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