Through My Eyes: Australian Disaster Zones

Publisher's synopsis

The inspiring Australian Disaster Zones series, created and edited by Lyn White, is a powerful and contemporary reminder of the effects of natural disasters and the ever-increasing threat of climate change to our vast and volatile continent.

Alex: Through My Eyes by Rosanne Hawk

Thirteen-year-old Alex lives on a drought-affected property in South Australia with his mum, his dad, his kelpie dog Tangi and colt Jago. For years it hasn’t rained enough for them to put a crop in. And while all the farmers in the area are suffering, Alex’s dad is struggling more than most. As the drought stretches on, Alex helps his mum with the farm work while longing for the father he once knew.

When Bonnie moves in on the neighbouring property with her camel-training family, even feral dogs and a missing classmate cannot stop the newfound friends’ passion to make a difference to the environment and their community. Will Alex’s dad recover – and will the rains ever return?

Mia: Through My Eyes by Dianne Wolfer

Thirteen-year-old Mia lives on a bush block in the Pilbara, where she assists her mother’s work as a vet and equine therapist. Although she is used to the seasonal cyclones that threaten the West Australian coast, nothing can prepare her for the ferocity of Cyclone Veronica when she finds herself home alone and needing to protect their property and the animals she loves.

When her friend Nick arrives, pleading for help, and her favourite horse is injured, will Mia be able to withstand the greatest challenge of her life? As the storm intensifies, can she save her beloved animals?

Tyenna: Through My Eyes by Julie Hunt and Terry Whitebeach

It’s the summer holidays, and Tye is staying at her grandparents’ lodge at Chancy’s Point in Tasmania’s beautiful Central Highlands. But her plans for fun with best friend Lily and working on her pencil pine conservation project are thwarted as fire threatens the community and the bush she loves – and when Tye discovers Bailey, a runaway boy hiding out, she is torn between secretly helping him and her loyalty to her grandparents.

As the fire comes closer and evacuation warnings abound, Tye is caught up in the battle of her life. Will she and Bailey survive? What will happen to her beloved pencil pines and the wildlife at risk? Can she and her close-knit community make a difference in a world threatened by climate change?

Upcoming resource

Awards

Shortlisted, Educational Chapter Book – Primary, Educational Publishing Awards, 2023, AU (Mia)
Shortlisted, Best Fiction, Environment Awards for Children’s Literature, 2023, AU (Tyenna)

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Lyn White

Lyn White has extensive experience as a primary school teacher-librarian and EAL teacher and in 2010 completed postgraduate studies in Editing and Communications at the University of Melbourne. Lyn is passionate about children’s literature and has great expertise in engaging students with quality texts. Her work with refugee children motivated her to create the acclaimed Through My Eyes series of books set in contemporary war zones. Lyn created and edited the Through My Eyes – Natural Disaster Zones series to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of children who are often the most vulnerable in post-disaster situations. Lyn continues to teach EAL and is an education consultant and conference presenter.

Photo by David Israel, courtesy of Allen & Unwin

Rosanne Hawke

Rosanne Hawke is a South Australian author of over thirty books. She lived in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates as an aid worker for ten years. Her books include Kelsey and the Quest of the Porcelain Doll, a CBCA Notable Book, and Taj and theGreat Camel Trek, winner of the 2012 Adelaide Festival Awards for Children’s Literature and shortlisted for the 2012 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. She is the 2015 recipient of the Nance Donkin Award; an Asialink, Carclew, Varuna and May Gibbs Fellow; and a Bard of Cornwall. She has taught creative writing at Tabor Adelaide and writes in an old Cornish farmhouse with underground rooms, near Kapunda.

Photo by Dylan Coker, courtesy of UQP

Dianne Wolfer

Dianne Wolfer is an award-winning author. Her book Lighthouse Girl served as inspiration for PIAF’s The Giants and was adapted into a stage production by Black Swan State Theatre Company. One of Dianne’s picture books, Photographs in the Mud (set along the Kokoda Track), was inspired by a wartime anecdote, has been used as an international peace reference and was also published in Japanese.

Photo courtesy of Fremantle Press

Julie Hunt

Julie Hunt loves storytelling and traditional folktales. Her stories combine other-worldly elements with down-to-earth humour. She loves travel and is fascinated by landscapes and the tales they inspire. This interest has taken her from the rugged west coast of Ireland to the ice caves of Romania where she collected ideas for her graphic novel, KidGlovz, illustrated by Dale Newman. KidGlovz won the 2016 Queensland Literary Award and her latest novel, Shine Mountain, was shortlisted for the 2019 NSW Premier’s Award. She has received many awards and commendations for earlier books, including winning Readings’ inaugural Children’s Book Prize for Song for a Scarlet Runner in 2014 and the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award for The Coat, illustrated by Ron Brooks, in 2013.

Photo courtesy of Allen & Unwin

Terry Whitebeach

Dr Terry Whitebeach is a Tasmanian writer, historian and community artist who has performed, presented conference papers and taught creative writing in community, workplace and educational settings. Her publications include poetry, radio plays, novels for young adults and biographies or life histories. Trouble Tomorrow was her fourth collaborative project with Sarafino Enadio.

Photo courtesy of Allen & Unwin

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Further Details

Author Lyn White, Rosanne Hawke, Dianne Wolfer, Julie Hunt, Terry Whitebeach

Publisher Allen & Unwin

Date of Publication 2022

ISBN 9781760877002 (Alex) | 9781760877026 (Mia) | 9781760877019 (Tyenna)

Category Children's Books

Pages

240 (Alex) | 256 (Mia) | 208 (Tyenna)