Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

December 2024

• ISBN: 9781460763506
• ISBN 10: 1460763505
• Imprint: HarperCollins AU
• $17.99

Regular readers here know what a fan I am of Jackie’s work, particularly her historical fiction. She so deftly weaves fact and fiction creating a portal back in time for young readers to become bystanders and witnesses to some of the most significant events, especially in Australian history.

And because of this, being asked to create teaching notes to support her books, is an incredible thrill and honour for me. There is so much depth to plumb in each one and, inevitably, I find myself, already a history nerd, learning even more.

In this one, readers are stepping back into the mid 19th century which was a turbulent time in terms of the colonial culture. Many historians will earmark these times as a turning point, from which we began to forge a more recognisable identity (albeit not without some heinous negatives along the way).

Set against a backdrop of the Ballarat goldfields and what became known as The Long Walk ,or the Robe Walk ,by the thousands of Chinese immigrants hoping for a better life, this is a story of one girl’s survival and triumph despite odds thrown her way.

12-year-old Tigg is the youngest bushranger ever. Ably assisted by Big John, she pilfers only from those who can afford it and never anything of sentimental value. The police – the traps – have been unable to catch up with the Bandicoot Bushranger but are not particularly motivated to do so either. After all the thefts are small and there are other more pressing matters to hand.

Tigg’s history and the revelation that she is a girl and, that rather than being an orphan as she thinks, she does indeed have family along with her ingenuity and resilience make for a fascinating adventure that readers from middle primary up to lower secondary will relish.

Along the way, they will learn much about the racial prejudices of the times, the hardships and dangers faced by the Chinese seeking escape from the poverty of their peasant lives, the impact of the gold rush on First Nations people, the restrictions upon and the social attitudes towards girls and women, and most definitely, find Tigg’s story an inspiration.

For any class studying the Gold Rush period, you would not find a better ‘read-around-your-topic, and it would make a magnificent serial read during that unit of inquiry.

There is plenty of depth in this for any astute reader, but the adventure and action of it will equally appeal to the kiddo looking for a fast-paced read. I’ll say it again, these outstanding MG novels this year, just keep on coming. And, as an aside, that is one of the best covers I’ve seen this year!

It goes without saying it gets the solid-gold 5 💰💰💰💰💰 rating, and after hearing some tidbits, I’m already looking forward to Jackie’s next book! Find additional activities on my Freebies page.