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Home and Away

By John Marsden
Series: Lothian Australian Favourites
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Check link for latest rating. ( 148 ratings, 20 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
Home and Away by John Marsden follows the story of a young boy whose life is turned upside down by war. He and his family are forced to flee their home in search of safety, facing numerous challenges and hardships along the way. It's a powerful tale that highlights themes of resilience, survival, and the importance of family through the eyes of a child.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy poignant stories that tackle powerful social issues through the eyes of young characters. It offers an emotional journey that raises awareness of refugee experiences, making it a thought-provoking read for both children and adults. If you are interested in compelling narratives that inspire empathy and understanding, this story is likely to resonate with you.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A dramatic picture book for older readers that poses the question - what would happen if a typical Australian family found themselves refugees?

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

We're a typical Australian family. Barbeques, footy, gardening, school, Holden Commodores ... Then one day, things change.

April 26, Dad burns the toast, yells at Toby, thanks me for cleaning the cab of the truck, kisses Mum and Toby, then he's gone ... April 27, the war starts ... May 21, the city's in ruins, blackouts nearly all the time, food is hard to find ... September 13, Dad hears news of a boat. We might get out of here yet ... September 28, it's just after dawn. A boat from their Navy has found us. We wave and cry and cheer. But then, slowly, we realise they are shouting at us, telling us to go away ... September 30, we are in a huge prison, with razor wire all around us ...

Powerful and thought-provoking, Home and Away is a CBCA Honour Book.

"so powerful, so moving and so heartbreaking that every Australian should be encouraged to read it" - READINGS

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  • Home and Away
    We're a typical Australian family. Barbeques, footy, gardening, school, Holden Commodores ... Then one day, things change. April 26, Dad burns the toast, yells at Toby, thanks me for cleaning the cab of the truck, kisses Mum and Toby, then he's gone ... April 27, the war starts ... May 21, the city's in ruins, blackouts nearly all the time,...
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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?

Home and Away by John Marsden receives praise for its poignant portrayal of an Australian family thrust into the harsh realities of war and refugee life. Described as both powerful and moving, it is considered a necessary read that resonates deeply with its universal themes of displacement and survival.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780734417190

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 July 2016

Country: Australia

Imprint: Lothian Children's Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Matt Ottley

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 300g

Pages: 24

Collections

Children's Books Children's Picture Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational John Marsden Series: Lothian Australian Favourites

About the Author

John Marsden (Author) John Marsden is Australia's most popular writer of young adult fiction. His books have sold more than a million copies worldwide and he has won, or been short-listed for, every major award for young adult literature in Australia, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year, the National Children's Book awards and numerous children's choice awards. The gripping war series, which began with TOMORROW WHEN THE WAR BEGAN, has broken all sales records for young adult fiction and was recently released as a feature film. SO MUCH TO TELL YOU, originally published in 1987, was his first young adult novel. Matt Ottley (Illustrator) Matt Ottley is one of Australia's most acclaimed children's author/illustrators and his works have been translated into several languages. He also works as a composer and musician. Matt's works include WHAT FAUST SAW, LUKE'S WAY OF LOOKING (CBCA Honour Book, 2000), REQUIEM FOR A BEAST (CBCA Picture Book of the Year and Queensland Premier's Award for YA Fiction 2008), HOME AND AWAY (CBCA Honour Book 2009) and PARACHUTE (CBCA Honour Book 2014).

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