A Rose for the Anzac Boys

A Rose for the Anzac Boys by Jackie French is a CBC Shortlisted title for the Older Readers category. It is a heart wrenching novel on the ‘War to end all Wars‘, we follow Midge Macpherson on her journey in search of her 'missing' twin brother Tim, and her determination to do her bit for the cause.

Midge and her friends Ethel and Anne start a canteen in France, caring for the endless flow of wounded soldiers returning from the front. Midges' experiences as an ambulance driver are horrific, she is thrust into carnage and terror scenes I could never have imagined. But there is also courage, love and friendship - this book brought a tear to my eye many times.

I highly recommend this book and I thank Jackie French for sharing this story with us. It is a must read for every Australian and holds the true spirit of ANZAC between it's covers.

Jackie French wrote on her Blog a response to the many letters and requests for a sequel:

"I don't think I'll write a sequel to ‘A Rose for the Anzac Boys’ but I have always known what happened to them afterwards.

Midge spent the first few days at the farm crying, finally letting go of all she had seen – which helped her relationship with her mother-in-law to be, who fussed over her so protectively that she didn’t mind as Midge slowly took over managemnt of the farm and their lives. .

Midge and Harry built the new house up on the hill. The farm became one of the most prosperous in the region. Midge had three daughters, and then one son – he enlisted in World War Two but developed appendicitis so never went overseas. She and her Harry lived a long and happy life together, surrounded by many grandchildren. She died at 89, asleep on the verandah looking out at her farm and her family.

Ethel never married, but grew closer to her brother, finally recognising his courage too – how he had supported her and the canteen, organising supplies, refusing to fight for a cause he didn't believe in. Ethel was offered to be made a Dame of the British Empire for her work organising food supplies in World War Two. She refused, and with her brother's support, entered Parliament. She died relatively young, at 62, still fighting for her causes.

Anne and her Gavin worked in Mesopotamia till the late ‘30s, when political tensions made it too dangerous to work there. Anne's daughters were born in 1937 and 1939.

Anne's scars faded with time, and her consciousness of them faded too. Gavin worked in Intelligence in World War Two; Anne ran the local billeting for refugees.

After the war Gavin was offered a professorship at the University of Queensland. Anne finally took her degree, and eventually became a part-time tutor. Although not wealthy by the standards of the aristocracy, Anne's family money meant they lived comfortably and generously, in a large house on the Brisbane River near the university, filled with students, discussion and laughter.

The three girls met only once more altogether, at the christening of Anne's first daughter, but kept in touch with love and letters throughout their lives.
When Anne moved to Australia one of Midge's granddaughters lived with them while she studied in Brisbane."

Other historical novels by the author:
The Goat Who Sailed the World
Pharaoh
They Came On Viking Ships
Hitler's Daughter
A War for Gentlemen
Tom Appleby Convict Boy
Macbeth and Son
Walking the Boundaries

Further Reading:
Australian War Memorial Kids HQ in Flanders Fields

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the rock is Melina's fantasy novel debut and it lives up to her previous standards. Like Looking for Alabrandi and Saving Francesca this book is about friendship and belonging. It is shortlisted for Book of the Year Older Readers.

I loved the characters in this book they are realistic, human and easy to identify with, Melina's strong characters are what really drive this narrative.

The Kingdom of Lumatere falls, it's royal family slaughtered and is cursed. Most of the Lumaterians are banished to wander foreign lands while others are trapped within the cursed walls.

Ten years later, Finnikin is lead to find Evanjalin, a young novice of Lagrimi who dreams of those trapped inside Lumatere. Together Finnikin and Evanjalin must follow their entwined destiny to save their people.

Checkout an interview with Melina.

Supanova: did you go?

Supanova was great!

The Dome was packed, so much bigger than last time.
The Madman panel was interesting, lots of new things coming our way. 'Loveless', you will know it if your into yaoi, is being released as a complete series later this year. 'Blood the last vampire' has been out in anime but is now Live action! The clip looked good. You can check out the new Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood full episodes at Madman.
The noise was a bit much though, coudn't really hear Sly, even with the mic.

I bumped into Wolverine (pictured), I love CosPlay! This guys must have spend ages working on his claws, they look fantastic! My friend Jane was happy to see so many Sailor Scouts this year.

We got to have Q&A with Twilight superstar Rachelle "Victoria" Lefevre (pictured), she was so sweet - didn't seem evil at all. She shared many stories and told us about what it was like on set and that she is in Team Edward. Her favourite book is SHE’S COME UNDONE by Wally Lamb - am ordering a copy today!

Hey did you know there is a Dr Who Club of Australia - I saw K9 but there was no sign of the Dr!

If you didn't make it this year, it's back in 2010.

Book of the Year - Older Readers Short List 2009

Here are the Youth shortlisted titles for Book of the Year. It is a really good shortlist this year, every title has plenty to offer. I will be posting some reviews and bits and bobs for each title over the coming weeks, check them out.
Author	Title	Publisher
CORNISH, D. M.	Monster Blood Tattoo Book Two: Lamplighter	Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia
EATON, Anthony	Into White Silence	Woolshed Press, Random House Anustralia
FRENCH, Jackie	A Rose for the Anzac Boys	HarperCollinsPublishers
MARCHETTA, Melina	Finnikin of the Rock	Viking, Penguin Group Australia
MOLONEY, James	Kill the Possum	Penguin Group Australia
TAN, Shaun	Tales from Outer Suburbia	Allen & Unwin

Meet UK author: JOS CARLYLE

Jos will give a fighting staff demonstration and talk about the Hayley Hicks Series at the Ashfield Library on Monday 13 July at 10am, there are still places available RSVP By 6 July on 9716 1810

On Jos' website you can read the opening chapters of book one on this website. I’d love to know what you think, so please write in and tell me. You can find out more about the characters by taking a look at their character cards.

Extract from Jos' website:

So this is me: Jos Carlyle, creator of Hayley Hicks. Admittedly it’s a nice photo, which is one of the perks of a website being your own. But I suspect I don’t always look so wholesome as I was once told (by a gentleman far too honest for his own good, in my opinion) that I look like a miserable ogre when I’m concentrating and that my hair is continuously disorganized. I think he could have been a little less blunt.

Unfortunately I tend to concentrate rather a lot. Not because I want to (I’m much better at daydreaming), but because Hayley and her cohort demand it of me. Ah yes, they’re a fascinating and complex, yet effortlessly compelling bunch! But who exactly are they? And what am I actually talking about?

Hayley Hicks is the main character in the series of fantasy books that I’m currently writing for older children and adults. By series I mean six books: THE LIGHTYEARS (books one to three) and THE DARKYEARS (books four to six). So far Book One is finished, Book Two is started, and Books Three, Four, Five and Six are all planned out…