In line with the new Australian Curriculum – Australian/Asian focus, the following books may be of interest to teachers for use in the classroom.
Ting Ting the Ghosthunter (sequel to A Ghost in My Suitcase)
Years 4-6
~ set in Shanghai and an ancient Chinese water town like Venice
~ strong female protagonist
~ themes of family, believing in oneself, death, belonging, bravery, love, friendship
~ strong grandmother figure
~ Chinese beliefs and customs
~ modern day
~ supernatural themes
~ Chinese philosophy
~ adventure
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The Beast of Hushing Wood
Years 4-6
~ setting northern hemisphere
~ strong female protagonist
~ themes of family, friendship, bullying, belonging, death, bravery, love, multiculturalism
~ modern day
~ tolerance
~ adventure
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The Wishbird
Years 4-6
~ mythical setting somewhere in the borderlands of north west China
~ boy and girl heroes
~ Themes – music, family, friendship, environment, power, bullying, belonging, death, loneliness,
bravery, love, forgiveness, connectedness, loss, multiculturalism
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Four Pearlie Novels which are part of the Our Australian Girl series
Meet Pearlie, Pearlie’s Pet Rescue, Pearlie the Spy, Pearlie’s Ghost
Years 3-6
~ set in Darwin
~ historical fiction 1943
~ World War 2
~ Australia war
~ Chinese culture and traditions
~ themes of bravery, friendship, kindness to animals, racism, family, love, adventure, self belief
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The Race for the Chinese Zodiac (picture book)
Years Prep – 6
~ picture book
~ Ancient Chinese myth/fable
~ river and mountain setting
~ animals with human attributes
~ historical
Themes for class discussion:
Friendship and cooperation – Rooster, Goat and Monkey band together to build a raft, Ox takes Rat and Cat on her back.
Altruism – Dragon helps Rabbit without Rabbit knowing. Dragon could have come first except that he stops to help relieve a drought.
The smallest can achieve great things. Rat is the smallest of the animals.
There are different ways to do things. There are many paths to achieve a goal – Rooster, Goat and Monkey build a raft, Pig floats across on her back, Rabbit floats on a log, Dog, Horse, Tiger, Ox are strong swimmers, Dragon flies across the river.
Friendship and Betrayal – Rat pushes Cat into the water, leading to a long term feud between cats and rats.
The strong helping the weak – Ox and Dragon help others.
Determination – Rabbit, Rat and Cat don’t like water but they still join in the race.
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The Lion Drummer (Aussie Bite)
Years 1- 4
~ Chinese beliefs and customs
~ Australian urban setting
~ Chinatown
~ Chinese dragon parade
~ Chinese traditions
~ immigration
~ determination
~ breaking with tradition
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Four Poppy Novels which are part of the Our Australian Girl series
Meet Poppy, Poppy at Summerhill, Poppy and the Thief, Poppy Comes Home
Years 3 to 6
~ Gold Rush Victoria
~ historical fiction (Victoria and NSW 1864)
~ Indigenous themes
~ Chinese themes
~ The setting – along the Murray River from Echuca to Beechworth
~ immigration
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A Ghost in My Suitcase
Years 3-6
This novel is a prequel to The Pearl of Tiger Bay
~ Chinese themes
~ modern day setting]
~ themes of family, believing in oneself, death, grief, hidden potential, belonging, bravery, love, friendship
~ set in Australia, Shanghai and an ancient Chinese water town like Venice
~ historical references to China
~ supernatural themes
~ Chinese philosophy
~ adventure
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The Hidden Monastery
Years 3 – 6
~ set in a Queensland rainforest and a magical Chinese monastery
~ mythical creatures
~ hurricanes/weather
~ themes of conservation
~ magical realism
~ Chinese themes
~ immigration
~ adventure
~ Chinese philosophy
~ martial arts
~ Chinese mythology
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The Pearl of Tiger Bay
Years 3-6
~ coastal township setting
~ Chinese themes
~ supernatural themes
~ Chinese philosophy
~ adventure
~ immigration
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The Garden of Empress Cassia
Years 3 to 6
~ urban Australian setting
~ Chinese landscape setting of lakes, pavilions, grottos, mountains
~ magical realism
~ Chinese themes
~ immigration
~ Chinese philosophy
~ adventure
~ art
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Little Paradise
Young Adult novel
Years 7 – 10
~ YA historical fiction based on a true story
~ World War 2 and Chinese Communist Revolution
~ Chinese WW2 history
~ mapmaking
~ fashion
~ art
Downloads
For All Teachers Notes go to each individual Book Page.
Download this page as a PDF document.