Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: difference

  • An Aussie Year: Twelve Months in the Life of Australian Kids

    An Aussie Year: Twelve Months in the Life of Australian Kids

    In a time of much cultural discussion, it is charming to find a series of books that deal with who and what make up the very interesting mix of cultures, now an integral component so many countries of the modern world.

    An Aussie Year takes five children from five different cultures who live in Australia celebrating their cultures and differences, all the while looking at how these differences have now become an accepted component of life in Australia.

    Ned’s family go back five generations to the early days of white settlement in Australia, Zoe’s family originally came from Greece, Lily’s parents are from China and Vietnam, Kirra’s family are first people, having family roots back thousands of years and Matilda was born in Ireland, arriving in Australia with her parents when she was still a baby: they all call themselves Australian.

    Broken up into months of the year, each month is filled with the many celebrations and traditions of the different cultural backgrounds that are now absolutely a part of modern Australia.

    Cartoon style illustration and cleverly constructed sentences from Tania McCartney and Tina Stirling weave across the seasons and the months of celebration, with a lovely understory saying no mater what your cultural background, somehow everyone really is the same: Australian.

    Hours of fun discovering much about other aspects of life and people in Australia can be discovered within the pages, as the five children take readers on a fantastic adventure into their cultures and how they, as a family, celebrate seasonal events.

    There is also the very real opportunity to go on an adventure of your own, as you discover much more about Ned, Zoe, Lily, Kira and Matilda’s cultures and how all they fit so well into everyday life here in Australia.

     

     

  • When we were Warriors

    When we were Warriors

    What a terrific series of stories which link in with each other in a very clever manner by the end of what is captivating reading, whether you are young or slightly more mature. Living up to her reputation of ‘Queen of Historical Fiction’, Emma Carroll captures a time in the dark and terrible days of World War II, through the eyes of children in a style that is reminiscent of Enid Blyton.

    After getting bombed out, Stan and his sisters are evacuated to a place in the country called Frost Hollow Hall; a place it was soon to be discovered held mysteries and so much adventure it could hardly be true. Things got even more interesting when a group of American soldiers, headed up by a very tall GI called Eddie, came to the Hall to ask for help.

    Olives Army tells how a community can work together with very little, to chase off a boat load of German’s trying to sneak into England unseen. A platoon of American soldiers is camped further up along the headland at Budmouth Point. When Olive finds a dead body on the beach, with some very interesting ID papers, she and her friends begin to wonder just what is going on, and why the papers are those of her sister Sukie’s fiancé, Ephraim.

    What happens to your beloved pets during an air raid when they cannot come to the air raid shelter with you, sees Velvet looking for alternatives when their beloved Mr Perks, who always let them take their pets, is replaced by a man who simply will not, no matter what! She just wants to be useful, do something that will make a difference. When she gets her chance, along with her friend Mo, she really does make a huge difference and making her Mum very proud as well as earning the love and respect of her community. A tall American GI called Eddie is once again involved in the tale.

    As said, fabulous stories, fabulous adventures and a storyline that invites a sense of mystery, excitement and a very great need to turn over the next page.

    When We Were Warriors is very cleverly woven storyline which can not fail to captivate readers of all ages.

  • You Are Mighty A Guide to Changing the World

    You Are Mighty A Guide to Changing the World

    Have you ever wondered if you, as a young person can make a difference to something that is important in the world?

    The answer is yes, indeed you can; more often that you may realise, by simply sharing an email about environmental issues, supporting a local neighbourhood group do something good and so much more. In today’s world of Internet, it is a lot easier than it once was to support something you are passionate about, and in many ways, because of the Internet and the WWW young people of all ages are far better informed of world event that ever before in history, as the news is almost instant.

    If there is an earthquake in Indonesia, a War in Iran, a protest march in America or a stand being made about world environmental pollution, the information is there, ready to be read and discussed. Not only is it out in the public arena, but many differing opinions are also there presenting various points of view.

    Therefore, and as Caroline Paul says time and time again, no matter how old you are, you can make a difference to what is absolutely your future, by being proactive about issues that directly affect you, your friends and family.

    Many of you may ask, but I am only a kid, no one listens to me and yes, you are right, but only up to a point. If it is something you are moaning about, well, that generally gets you not far at all: but if voicing your opinion to get what you want done in order to help make a change in society is done correctly, it can be very, very effective.

    Caroline Paul gives tips, and provides case studies of young people who have already made a difference, and how you can go about making a difference, by making protest signs, Volunteering, letter writing, using social media, videos and so much more. She also offers words of caution when considering staging or becoming involved with Protests, as the sometimes unwanted and unasked for attention from the law enforcement agencies in various areas can be very dangerous.

    As the is book is written from an American basis, sadly being of coloured skin, or certain ethnic minority groups, a situation known as racism, protesting can be a very dangerous undertaking.

    There is also the perspective that you may have never considered yourself or your friends as activists, but if you have ever stood up for something you truly believe in, shared emails from groups such as Greenpeace, or helped friends write letters or investigate and create projects about a social issue, you are already an activist, doing your bit to help change the way the world thinks and often behaves.

    You Are Mighty is a ground breaking book which encourages the teens of today to investigate, challenge, take a stand and support the issues of today, which will and are, going to affect their future unless they begin to hold the leaders and adults of the world today to account.

    You are indeed mighty. Take a stand and make a difference!