Description
'The ship was a towering fortress looming over the pier. Anton stared enviously at the emigrants lining up in front of the wide gangplank. Heading off on a voyage to a land of peace and plenty. Leaving the land of broken buildings and crushed hopes behind. Looking forward to sunshine and steaks. How he wished that he was one of the lucky ones.' Loosely based on Paul Jennings' journey to Australia as a 'ten pound Pom', the story of Anton, who escapes from an orphanage and successfully stows away on a boat headed for the land of 'sunshine and steaks' has a timeless reality of its own. It is a tale of loss, guilt, mistaken identity and taking risks but also surprisingly heartwarming and heartbreaking. Perfect for reluctant readers in upper primary and lower secondary, it speaks of loss, migration, reslience and courage. Beautifully illustrated by Geoff Kelly.
About the Author
Paul Jennings is the author of more than 100 books, beginning with 'Unreal!' in 1985, and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. He is a Member of the Order of Australia for services to children's literature and was awarded the Dromkeen Medal in 2001 and the Children's Book Council of Australia Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2019. Many of his books draw on his early experiences as a child immigrant to Australia from the United Kingdom and his life as a teacher and speech therapist.
Reviews
Like all books by Paul Jennings, this one... draws you in immediately and grips you throughout. Like the author's previous titles too, it's superbly written without a wasted word. Having said that, it's also quite unlike any of his previous titles.' -- Jill Bennett * Red Reading Hub *
This perfect jewel of a novella explores loss, isolation and the difficult migrant experience with spare, eloquent prose. -- Alison Brumwell, Chair of Juges
An odd story, comparable to nothing else. Strange and heartwarming - a nice quick read. -- Aidan Severs * Goodreads Book Reviw *
Awards
Long-listed for Carnegie Medal 2019 (UK).
Book Information
ISBN 9781910646465
Author Paul Jennings
Format Paperback
Page Count 112
Imprint Old Barn Books
Publisher Old Barn Books
Weight(grams) 110g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 9mm
About the Author
Paul Jennings is the author of more than 100 books, beginning with 'Unreal!' in 1985, and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. He is a Member of the Order of Australia for services to children's literature and was awarded the Dromkeen Medal in 2001 and the Children's Book Council of Australia Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2019. Many of his books draw on his early experiences as a child immigrant to Australia from the United Kingdom and his life as a teacher and speech therapist.
Reviews
Like all books by Paul Jennings, this one... draws you in immediately and grips you throughout. Like the author's previous titles too, it's superbly written without a wasted word. Having said that, it's also quite unlike any of his previous titles.' -- Jill Bennett * Red Reading Hub *
This perfect jewel of a novella explores loss, isolation and the difficult migrant experience with spare, eloquent prose. -- Alison Brumwell, Chair of Juges
An odd story, comparable to nothing else. Strange and heartwarming - a nice quick read. -- Aidan Severs * Goodreads Book Reviw *
Awards
Long-listed for Carnegie Medal 2019 (UK).
Book Information
ISBN 9781910646465
Author Paul Jennings
Format Paperback
Page Count 112
Imprint Old Barn Books
Publisher Old Barn Books
Weight(grams) 110g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 9mm
