by Janeen Brian
www.janeenbrian.com
This novel was a tantalising challenge. After travelling through England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, I returned home in July 2017 with diaries bulging with memories – and two random scraps of ideas. The orphanages and workhouses of earlier times. And weavings that depicted a narrative of the mythical unicorn. What would happen if I joined them together? Would the result make a novel?
I was about to step into the unknown territory of magical realism.
Many people helped me along the way to publication.
My thanks to Jane Moore, teacher – librarian extraordinaire, who offered to be my first reader; to the wonderful author/editor, Sue Whiting, who gave the work a positive and critical assessment; and to my strong, supportive agent, Jacinta di Mase, who also made suggestions.
Linsay Knight and her team at Walker Books were enthusiastic, gave helpful feedback and have continued to demonstrate their belief in this book. To my editor, Virginia Grant, thank you for helping to produce a better book. Thanks to illustrator, Tracie Grimwood, for creating such a powerful, appealing and ‘so-right’ book cover, and to in-house art director, Sarah Davis, for her cover design. And to the ever-supportive Steve Spargo for his marketing expertise.
Special thanks go to my two friends and writing colleagues, Phil Cummings and Rosanne Hawke, whose work I admire and with whom I’ve been sharing my writing at our treasured get-togethers over many years.
To my lovely, vibrant Clubbers group, Katrina Germein, Mandi Graham and Tania Ingram for the great writing discussions, fun and help that we share each month.
Everyone needs a tribe – and that tribe for me is EKIDNAS (South Australian published children’s writers and illustrators) and SCBWI. Such wonderful groups to belong to.
I’d also like to thank the Children’s Book Council of Australia and the hard-working, passionate teachers and teacher – librarians who generate interest in the reading of my books.
And to my booking agent, Becky Lucas, who does so much sorting out for me!
I’d like to thank my family for their understanding and interest and especially my husband, Jon, who organises our travel plans and leaves me to ponder ideas for stories and poems!
And finally, thanks to Eloise, who grew from being a character to become a person I cared deeply for.
“Yong,” my father said one night as I sat on the earthen floor, stroking my pet cricket and determined to save it from being eaten. “You will come with me to Australia.”
Yong doesn’t want to leave Guangdong to travel to the goldfields of Ballarat. But as the firstborn son, he has no choice. On the long and treacherous journey, Yong strives to be an honourable son, while he and his father face many hardships and dangers. But in his heart he knows the shameful truth – that his honour is a lie. Can a journey change lives? Has Yong the courage to face what lies ahead?
“Engaging, well written and deserving of a place in every school library, Yong: The Journey of an Unworthy Son is suitable for all ages, particularly upper primary and early secondary. Beautiful front cover art work, short chapters, clear type and excellent writing make this novel appealing and accessible.”
– Reading Time
“There are only a few novels containing a Chinese immigrant to our shores so this is very welcome, giving a face to some who came in the nineteenth century along with so many others. Highly recommended.”
– Read Plus
Best friends Jack and Gilbert made a pact when they were younger – promising to work together in the copper mines, just like their fathers and other Cornish immigrants. But now Jack is turning twelve, and the thought of working underground fills him with panic. When Gilbert is forced to leave school and earn a wage, Jack wants to keep his word to his friend – but that means facing his fear. And all the while his heart is telling him to follow another path. That boy, Jack, must find the courage to choose.
“This evocative book is the reason we read. To be entertained, to be worried, to be affected.”
– Kids’ Book Review
“Janeen Brian has created a vibrant and engaging scenario which realistically portrays the hard life of the Cornish miners . . . The characters are well-drawn and fully rounded, the plot engages the reader and some of the social issues (typhoid, mine accidents, lack of education) are integrated seamlessly into the story. This is an excellent book about colonial life in early South Australia and readers will absorb much information while being engrossed in a good story.”
– Reading Time
First published in 2020
by Walker Books Australia Pty Ltd
Locked Bag 22, Newtown
NSW 2042 Australia
www.walkerbooks.com.au
The moral rights of the author and illustrator have been asserted.
Text © 2020 Janeen Brian
Cover image © 2020 Tracie Grimwood
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without the prior written permission of the publisher.
