For children grappling with questions of identity, family history, and what it means to belong, this historical diary offers a poignant journey of self-discovery.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is exploring their own cultural heritage, grappling with questions of identity, or feels caught between two worlds. Written as the diary of a young Aboriginal girl in 1937, it follows Mary Talence, who was taken from her family and raised in a mission home. The story chronicles her struggle to understand who she is, where she comes from, and what it means to belong. It gently but directly addresses the pain of the Stolen Generations, racism, and the profound longing for family. For ages 9 to 12, this book is a powerful tool for building empathy and understanding a difficult part of Australian history. It provides both a mirror for Indigenous children and a window for others into the importance of identity and connection.
Deals with the emotional pain of being separated from family and culture.
Sensitive Topics
The book directly addresses the historical trauma of the Stolen Generations, institutionalization, and systemic racism. The approach is personal and emotional, filtered through a child's perspective. It is a secular story. The resolution is hopeful: Mary finds her family, but the emotional scars and the injustice of her experience are not glossed over, making it a realistic and powerful ending.
Ideal Reader
A child aged 10 to 12 who is beginning to grapple with complex questions of identity, heritage, and social justice. Particularly powerful for an Indigenous child seeking representation of their history, or a non-Indigenous child ready to learn about Australian history with empathy. It is also suitable for a child who feels "different" or disconnected from their family history for any reason.
Parent Prep
Parents, especially those outside of Australia, should be prepared to discuss the Stolen Generations, a significant and painful part of Australian history. Reading the Author's Note at the end of the book first provides essential context. The book can be read cold, but the conversation will be richer with this preparation. The child comes home from school asking questions about their family tree for a project and expresses confusion or sadness about their own history. Or, a child says, "I don't feel like I really belong here," or asks questions about why people are treated differently because of their skin color.
Age Experience
A 9-year-old will likely focus on the story of a girl trying to find her mom, connecting with the themes of friendship and loneliness. A 12-year-old will grasp the deeper historical and social context of the Stolen Generations, the systemic racism, and the political implications of Mary's story. They will understand the injustice more acutely.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books about difficult histories that are told from a third-person, retrospective viewpoint, the diary format provides an immediate, intimate, and child-centric perspective. It makes the overwhelming historical tragedy of the Stolen Generations accessible and deeply personal, focusing on one girl's emotional journey rather than just the historical facts.
Read plot summary
Mary Talence, a young Wiradjuri girl living in a mission home in 1937 Sydney, is one of the Stolen Generations. She excels at school but feels a deep sense of loss and confusion about her identity. Through her diary, she documents her daily life, her friendships, the racism she endures, and her growing determination to find her Aboriginal family and reconnect with her culture.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Mary writes, 'Who am I?' many times in her diary. What do you think she means by this question? How does her answer change by the end of the book?
2
Mary's teachers and the mission matrons believe they are giving her a 'better' life. Why do they think this, and how is it different from what Mary wants for herself?
3
When Mary meets her brother and learns about her family, what are some of the things she discovers that make her feel proud of her Wiradjuri heritage?
4
Friendship is very important to Mary. How do her friends at the mission, like Sarah, support her throughout her journey?
