About This Book
A Banner Bold: The Diary of Rosa Aarons offers a captivating glimpse into Australian history through the eyes of a young girl. Rosa's diary entries detail her family's move from London to the Ballarat goldfield in 1854, where she learns to adapt to a new, rugged life. Readers will follow her adventures as she makes new friends, learns about gold mining, attends a rudimentary school, and even meets historical figures. The narrative culminates in the dramatic events of the Eureka Stockade, providing a child-friendly introduction to this significant moment in Australian history, all while highlighting themes of resilience, friendship, and justice. This book is ideal for children aged 8-11 who enjoy historical fiction and adventure.
The Diary of Rosa Aarons, Ballarat Goldfield, 1854. In 1854, Rosa Aarons travelled with her family from London to the diggings on the Ballarat goldfield, where she met the Governor of the Colony, the leader of the diggers, Lady Macbeth, and a dog called Bonaparte. This is her story of how she makes new friends and learns to pan for gold, tolerate school, avoid snakes and survive the Eureka stockade.
Discussion Prompts
1
What challenges did Rosa face when she first arrived at the goldfield, and how did she overcome them?
2
How did Rosa's feelings about school change throughout her time in Ballarat?
3
What was the Eureka Stockade, and why was it an important event for the diggers?
4
How did Rosa show bravery and resilience during difficult times?
5
If you could ask Rosa one question about her life on the goldfield, what would it be?
External Reviews
If Your Family Enjoyed This
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how this book landed with your family.