I pass on a request to you, the reader, from another reader of this blog.Amy has asked me to recommend books for her written in an Australian context, keeping in mind the following:
- she is new to Australia, from China (I hope I'm right there Amy!)
- English is not her first language
- she has recently been reading a few Alexander McCall Smith books (from the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street series) and has enjoyed them
- she would like something that while fiction, still gives her some insight into Australian culture and/or history
Over to you readers - any suggestions??
The Tomorrow Series by John Marsden - rollicking good read and some good stuff about Australian culture (though, obviously point out it's not history!) I used to recommend it to my year 8s and whether they struggled with language or it came easily to them, they lapped this series up. Every library and book shop has them!
ReplyDeleteThank Wendy and arthurandtamie. I will borrow The Tomorrow Series from library.
ReplyDeleteI just started to read English novels about two month ago. 44 Scotland Street, which Wendy recommended me, makes a good beginning of my reading. Then I read The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series and so far I have finished three books of it. During this period, I read two of Harry Porter Series, in which I found a lot of words that I have no any idea.
I enjoyed the stories and reading makes me progress in my English as well, at least in writing, even though which always be proved not good enough.
For a bit of Australian historical fiction, 'Seven Little Australians' by Ethel Turner is good.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Marsden's Tomorrow series too.
"A Fortunate Life" by Albert Facey is a biography and will give a bit of a historical feel - country life and city life.
ReplyDelete"My Place" by Sally Morgan will give an insight into aborigines and suburban life.
Both books are excelllent, written by adults for adults but are on high school reading lists so they should be clear enough to read.
Also anything by Tim Winton - although I would suggest starting with his earlier books and his books for children too. They capture the Australian life as closely as one can in print. He's almost bottled it in his books.
Thanks Tamie, Ruth & Meredith - appreciate the input, I know Amy will be reading all these comments.
ReplyDeleteNice to 'meet' you Meredith!
Wendy
Thank all of you very much.
ReplyDeleteI will read them one by one.