My Girragundji

Description

My Girragundji is the story of a boy who is scared of the bad spirit, the Hairyman, who roams his house at night. But, when he is befriended by a green tree frog' girragundji', he realises that his ancestors have sent her to protect him and he can face his fears. This story combines the talents of Boori Pryor, one of Australia's greatest aboriginal story-tellers and author Meme McDonald. It's a tale firmly rooted in aboriginal myth and culture, but one that will appeal to any child who's been afraid of the dark.

Promotion info

Winner, Book of the Year for Younger Readers, Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards 1999Shortlisted, Best Children's Book, Queensland Premier's Literary Awards 1999Commended, Best Designed Young Adult Book, Australian Publishers Ass

Awards

Winner of Children's Book Council of Australia Awards: Book of the Year - Young Readers 1999. Shortlisted for APA Design Awards: Hodder Headline Best Designed Young Adult Book 1998.

Reviews

'a lyrical and worthwhile story that helps create a positive understanding of a different cultural environment'School LibrarianU.K. Summer 2002this fascinating story gives a rare insight into growing up between two worlds, and rites of passage in Aboriginal culture.' Best BooksUK 2003.

Author description

Meme McDonald grew up on a sheep and cattle station in southwest Queensland. After leaving school she received an American Field Scholarship to the United States and on returning to Australia studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Queensland and later graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts Drama School. She has published books in a variety of genres. Meme began her career directing theatre. She wrote The Way of the Birds, which has been adapted into an award-winning animation of the same title. Currently, Meme is a Board member of the State Library of Victoria's Writers and Readers Advisory Committee; she was one of the Victorian Premier's Reading Ambassadors for 2005 .