March 2012
This is a list of suggestions for nonfiction about Australia for elementary
and secondary school. Books on Australian Animals and Australian Aborigines
have not been included because I have compiled separate lists on these subjects.
See the website www.australed.iinet.net.au Please take the age suggestions
as a rough guide.
All prices are in Australian dollars and include 10% GST tax. However
this GST does not apply to exports from Australia.
Titles newly included are
marked with •
If you would like to order any of the books on the list, send the orders to Austral Ed by email to austral@gleebooks.com.au Payment can be made by direct bank transfer or bank cheques in Australian dollars or by Credit card especially for private purchases. Freight is sent by the most economical method within Australia or overseas, depending on urgency.
Recommended by Kate Shepherd and Mandy Clarke
Australian Backyard Explorer by Peter Macinnis pb 9780642276841 $29.95
This is a fascinating book with a very different and detailed look at explorers in Australia. Filled with interesting anecdotes and varied questions such as how did explorers calculate the height of mountains? In the section on Journals and Notebooks, there are different entries made on the same day by James Cook and Joseph Banks showing a different perspective on their journey. Filled with illustrations and paintings of the period and also many photos and journal extracts, there are also many interesting activities and projects that students can undertake in their own backyard. Activities such as how to find water, collect plants, or make a shelter. There are sections on measuring distance, mapping and navigating by the stars as well as the difficulty of finding water and of making it fit to drink and coping with disasters. (10 years up)
Australian Library Series hardback $29.95 each title
This series contains a range of titles on core topics of importance about Australia.
Each book is well documented and described, with comprehnsive use of maps,
photos and digrams.
Australia in Song 9781740703604
Australia’s Currency 9781740702959
Australia’s Emblems and Icons 9781740703888
Australia’s Landforms 9781740702980
Australia’s Prime Ministers 9781740703598
Australia’s National Parks 9781740703895
Australia’s Shipwrecks and Sea Mysteries 9781740703871
Desert Dreamings 9781740702249
Landmarks of Australia 9781740702232
Settlement and Exploration 9781740702225
World Heritage in Australia 9781740703901 (8 - 11 years)
Australia’s Rivers series by Jane Pearson (2008) hardback $29.95 pb $14.95 each
Capital City Rivers hardback 9781740706766 pb 9781740704052
Dryland Rivers hardback hardback 9781740706797 pb 9781740704083
The Murray-Darling River System hardback 9781740706780 pb 9781740704076
Wild Rivers hardback 9781740706773 pb 9781740704090
Australia is the second driest continent in the world (only Antarctica is drier) and so Australia’s rivers are extremely important. And so this series is welcome but by far the most interesting title is the title on Dryland Rivers. Dryland rivers flow through deserts and there are plenty of those in Australia. These rivers are often just beds of sand for most years but when rains come then they can fill with water and often flood. At times of floods, fish, frogs and animals and birds appear as if by magic and then as the river dries out the animal life also disappears. The plant and animal life is accustomed to these cycles however periods of prolonged droughts to do place this system under threat. (9 – 12 years)
• * Australia’s Top Mineral Resources series hardback $ 31.99 net each
Bauxite 9781420266078
Coal 9781420266047
Gold 9781420266030
Iron Ore 9781420266061
Nickel 9781420266085
Oil and Gas 9781420266054
Australia is one of the world’s richest countries for mineral resources. This series provides timelines showing the history of mining in Australia, and also flowcharts explaining the mining process from ground to product. Interviews with industry workers are also included. There is also a focus on the impact of mining on people and also on the environment. (upper primary to lower secondary)
Black Snake: The Daring of Ned Kelly by Carole Wilkinson pb 9781876372934 $18.99
Ned Kelly was a bushranger in Australia in the 1870s. He robbed banks, stole
horses and cattle but is regarded by many as a folk hero a bit like Robyn
Hood. To others he was a murderer who deserved his sentence of death by hanging
for his crimes. Here Ned Kelly's life is described factually but is
interspersed by short fictional personal accounts by various people who knew
Ned Kelly or who were there at the scene of his crimes. (8 - 12 years)
Crash! The Search for the Stinson by J Beck, D Blacklock and K Allan pb 9781862913783 $19.99
An absorbing account of a very famous air crash in 1937. A yong bushman found
the wreckage after making his way thorugh almost impenetrable mountain bushland.
How the survivors were brought down from the mountains makes fascinating
reading. The story is presented in detail, chronoligcally, with many quotations
from
the rescuer and survivors, as well as colour and black and white photos,
illustrations and newspaper extracts. An extraordinary story of courage and
physical endurance
which will appeal especially to those boys who prefer to read true accounts.
(9 - 14 years)
Discover & Learn about series by Pat Slater pb $14.95
Discover & Learn
about Australian Forests and Woodlands 9781740210881
This book contains a large amount of information on the different types
of animal and plant life in Australia's forest and woodlands. The presentation
is inviting and there are many excellent photos and maps. Contains an index and glossary.
(8 - 13 years)
Every Picture Tells a Story: Adventures in Australian Art (2008) by John Ross with Anna Booth pb 9780980354034 $29.95
This book is great for browsing but could also be used as a text. The authors have chosen a marvellous collection of Australian art, including paintings, photographs, lithographs, linocuts and etchings. Each work of art and its artist is discussed and there is also an historical account of the event or place depicted. The art works are fascinating in their own right but the background information makes them even more interesting while giving at the same time some information on Australian art and its history and also on general Australian history. All the art comes from the collection at the National Gallery of Australia. The book was published in 2008. It is a meandering journey made all the more interesting by some additional intriguing anecdotes. (12 years up)
Gogo Fish! The Story of the Western Australian State Fossil Emblem by John Long pb $14.95
The fascinating story of how palaeontologist, John Long discovered a new type of fossil fish while studying Gogo fish fossils in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This fish later became the State emblem of Western Australia when a primary school class put forward a proposal that it would make a good emblem. There is discussion of why we study fossils and excellent support material is included through illustrations, photographs, maps, glossary and index. (8 - 11 years)
• * Gold Rushes series by Ann Parry pb $17.99 net each
The Discovery of Gold 97814202297805
Everyday Life on the Goldfields 97814202297829
Gold Rush Journeys 97814202297799
Riots, Robberies and Rebellions 97814202297812 Not yet published due mid 2012
This series presents four different perspectives on the people and places of the Australian gold rush era. (upper primary)
Living in Australia series (2008) hardback $29.95
Chinese Australians hardback $29.95
The book describes the history of Chinese Immigration to Australia and how many Chinese follow Chinese traditions as they live, work and go the school. The book gives information about China today. There is a map of China and also a traditional Chinese story and a Glossary and an Index. The complete series is
Chinese Australians 9781740704809
Greek Australians 9781740704786
Indian Australians 9781740706308
Italian Australians 9781740706285
Japanese Australians 9781740706315
Sudanese Australians 9781740704816
Thai Australians 9781740706292
Vietnamese Australians 9781740704793 (10 – 13 years)
Memories: An Autobiography by Mem Foxpb $7.80
A simply written autobiography in which Mem describes her childhood, how she started writing and her family. Illustrated with many photos. (7 - 9 years)
John Nicholson
The following titles are by John Nicholson. He has won a number of the Australian
Children's Book of the year Awards for nonfiction and all his books are
very highly regarded for their accessibility, excellent illustrations and informative
text which is always interesting and inviting. He writes the text and also
illustrates the book.
Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge pb 9781865082585 $15.95
Fascinating story of how the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built. Wonderfully detailed illustrations. (10 - 15 years)
The Mighty Murray pb 9781865085654 $15.95
An in depth description of Australia’s most important river. This is a description from an environmental as well as a historical view point. The River Murray system is heavily irrigated and is now in severe danger. (12 up)
Transport, Trade and Travel series hardback $29.95
Songlines and Stone Axes: Pre 1788 hardback 9781741750027 $29.95 This describes the amazing network of trade and ceremonial exchange between Aboriginal peoples that existed long before European came to Australia. Items of particular value that were carried sometimes over thousand of kilometres and exchanged were pearl shell from the Kimberley in WA, greenstone axeheads, belts made of human hair, outriggers for canoes, songs and dances, ochre, feathers and cloaks made of possum skin. The illustrations are beautifully detailed and extremely informative. (11 – 15 years)
Other titles in this series are:
Cedar, Seals and Whaling Ships 1788 – 1830s hardback 9781741750034 $29.95
Wool, Wagons and Clipper Ships 1830s – 1880s hardback 9781741751987 $29.95
Steam, Steel and Speed 1850s – 1920 hardback 9781741750461 $29.95
100 Years of Petrol Power 1900 – 2000 hardback 9781741750478 $29.95 (all 11 - 15 years)
• * Our Democracy series by Nicolas Brasch hardback $31.99 net each (2011)
Australia’s Democratic History 9781420281330
Australia’s Electoral Process 9781420281347
Australia’s Federal Government 9781420281309
Australia’s Local Government 9781420281323
Australia’s Prime Ministers 9781420281354
Australia’s State and Territory Governments 9781420281316
A helpful series for information on the democratic system of government in Australia. Gives an overview of the history of the various governments and political parties. Each book includes contemporary and historical photos, tables, maps timelines and brief biographies of important peoples. Glossary and Index also included. (10 – 14 years)
Prehistoric Giants: The Megafauna of Australia by Danielle Clode pb 9780980381320 $24.95
Published by the Museum of Victoria this is a guide to the Australian megafauna of the Pleistocene – when humans shared the land with giant creatures. Gives details of many of the fossil discoveries.and then lists the various megafauna such as giant goannas, giant wombats and koalas and many others. As well as maps showing the fossil finds and possible distribution and photographs of fossil bones, there are beautiful paintings of these animals showing how they may have looked and lived. (11 years up)
• * Stories from Australia’s History series by Melanie Guile hardback $31.99 net each
These stories have proved to be very popular. The stories offer background and context to significant events ad explain their significance to Australia’s development as a nation. They include profiles, letters, quotes and newspaper extracts as well as graphic-style re-enactments which bring the stories to life.
Set 1
The ANZACS and the Battle for Gallipoli 9781420269086
Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet 9781420269048
Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic Expedition 9781420269055
Peter Lalor and the Eureka Stockade 9781420269062
Vida Goldstein’s Fight for Women’s Rights 9781420269079
Vincent Lingiara and the Wave Hill Walkout 9781420269093
Set 2
Burke and Wills Expedition to Cross Australia 9781420281132
Charles Perkins and the Freedom Ridge 9781420281095
C Y O’Connor and the Goldfields Pipeline 9781420281118
Fanny Durack’s Olympic Quest 9781420281101
Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang 9781420281149
Weary Dunlop and the Burma Railway 9781420281125
Set 3
Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson’s Crossing of the Blue Mountains 9781420293548
Captain Bligh and the Rum Rebellion 9781420293524
Captain Cook’s Voyage in the Endeavour 9781420293500
Eyre’s Expedition across the Nullabor 9781420293531
Mary MacKillop’s Path to Sainthood 9781420293494
The Story of Federation 9781420293517 (middle – to upper primary)
This is my Culture series (2008) hardback $29.95 each
China 9781740703918
Egypt 9781740706384
Greece 9781740706377
Indonesia 9781740706360
Italy 9781740703925
Samoa 9781740706391
Thailand 9781740703949
Vietnam 9781740703932
These books are written in the first person, from the point of view of young people whose families came to live in Australia from overseas. It discusses their families, how they came to Australia, their festivals, food and celebrations, and their culture and history. This personal approach and the many photos of the family and cultural events add considerably to the interest. Each book includes maps, a recipe and several activities. (9 – 14 years)
Upside Down World Maps pb $10.95 Laminated $24.95
Drawn from the perspective of those living in the southern hemisphere, the
Upside Down World Map is centred round the Pacific Ocean and of course Australia.
It promotes some interesting dsicussion about cartography and give students
a different geographical perspective.
• * We are Australian series by Wendy Graham hardback $31.99 net each
The First Australians 9781420265842
Multicultural Australians 9781420265897
Nation Builders 9781420265866
People and Places 9781420265880
Settlers and Explorers 9781420265859
Storytellers, Artists and Legends 9781420265873
This series traces Australia’s history and the development of its identity through the people, places and events that have shaped the nation. Many first-hand accounts from a diverse range of people have been included. (middle to upper primary)
• * Water for Australia series by Bruce McClish hardback $28.99 net
Being Waterwise 9781420269598
Caring for Waterways 9781420269611
Getting Water to People 9781420269574
How is water Used? 9781420269581
Out Water Sources 9781420269567
Safe and Healthy Water 9781420269604
Australia is the driest continent but our need for water increases as our population grows. This series provides essential facts abut water and investigates how we can act to protect our water supply for the future. (middle primary)
If you would like to order any of the books listed above, send orders
to Austral Ed email to austral@gleebooks.com.au All prices are in Australian dollars.
For
additional lists of recommended books and newsletters from Austral Ed, visit
our website www.australed.iinet.net.au
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