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Njunjul the Sun

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( 51 ratings, 5 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Njunjul the Sun follows the journey of a teenage boy from the Australian bush to the bustling city of Sydney, where he hopes to find a sense of belonging. Through encounters with new people and experiences, he navigates the challenges of identity, family, and the clash between traditional and contemporary worlds, all while seeking guidance from the stories of his ancestors. It is a tale of growth, discovery, and the enduring strength of cultural heritage.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$1999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in diverse cultural perspectives and the journey of self-discovery. The story explores the life of a young Aboriginal teen navigating the challenges of city life and his quest to connect with his heritage. It beautifully blends humour and heart, offering a touching insight into identity and belonging.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A 16-year-old Aboriginal boy leaves his family and home for the big city, and as he struggles to make sense of his experience he realises that he must have the knowledge of his own people and culture in order to know who he is, and to find his direction.

Winner: Kraft Foods Prize for Young Adult Fiction, Victorian Premier's Literary Awards 2002SHORTLISTED: Children's Book of the year Awards (The Children's Book Council of Australia). In the category: 2003 Book of the Year - Older Readers.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

BOORI MONTY PRYOR: AUSTRALIA'S CHILDREN'S LAUREATE 2012-13

'I'm heading out on m'own, down the highway to the big city. Going south. I lost my taste for knowing the old ways. I'm wanting what's new. What's exciting, what's out there on the other side of town. That's what got me on this bus. I gotta get out, see. This is my chance. My chance to do something.'

But in the city, you can feel like you don't exist any more. You can't always see the sun when it comes up, or lie down safe when it sets. Your mind can go crazy, crammed with everyone else's thoughts, so you can't hear your voice on the inside. An outstandingly honest, original, eye-opening story about a young man daring to step out into a complex world. Njunjul the Sun will make you laugh, even as it grips your heart.

Njunjul the Sun completes the trilogy begun with My Girragundji and The Binna Binna Man, charting the journey of self-discovery of a young Aboriginal boy as he learns to draw strength from his traditional heritage and to find a way of living in contemporary Australia. The boy is now a young man of sixteen, and he leaves his community in Queensland to live in Sydney. Njunjul the Sun develops the innovative combination of text, photographs, and illustrations that was established in My Girragundji.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Njunjul the Sun by Boori Monty Pryor and Meme McDonald is praised for its authentic and idiomatic language that imparts a raw and truthful quality. The ending, where the protagonist embraces his name, is seen as an epiphany and fitting conclusion to the trilogy. The book is also noted for its compact and evocative narrative, offering insights into understanding and addressing past events.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781865086415

Publisher: A&U Children's

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 March 2002

Country: Australia

Imprint: A&U Children

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 195.0mm

Weight: 158g

Pages: 168

About the Author

Meme McDonald was a writer and photographer who created books for young people and adults.

Boori Pryor is from North Queensland. His mother's people are Kunggandji and his father is from the Birra-gubba Nation. Boori is a performer, storyteller and writer.

Meme and Boori co-wrote Maybe Tomorrow (Penguin, March 1998) with Margaret Dunkle as consulting editor. The Binna Binna Man (Allen + Unwin 1999) won Book of the Year at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2000. Meme and Boori also co-wrote two prize-winning books which have been adapted for theatre. My Girragundji (Allen + Unwin 1998) had two seasons touring nationally with The Bell Shakespeare Company, and Njunjul The Sun (Allen + Unwin 2002) - which received the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction - was adapted by Kooemba Djarra Theatre Company and produced with QPAC in Brisbane.

Boori Monty Pryor was Australia's Children's Laureate in 2012 and 2013.

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