Teachers

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

~  Setting Melbourne and Shanghai
~  love story
~ Australian WW2 history

~ Chinese WW2 history

~ mapmaking

~ fashion

~ art

Downloads
For All Teachers Notes go to each individual Book Page.


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