Fair Dinkum Histories: Rotters and Squatters (1820 – 1850), by Jackie French, ill. Peter Sheehan, ISBN 978741693157, Scholastic Australia
Reviewed by Celine, 9, Yidarra Catholic Primary School*, WA
Rotters and Squatters is the third book of the series ‘Fair Dinkum Histories’ written by Jackie French. No one wants to read a boring history book but this is not just about Australian history. Rotters and Squatters includes funny jokes and illustrations. I’ll quote a few:
‘Are you idle?’
‘No, I’m Sebastian.’
‘How do you make an apple crumble?’
‘Torture it for 10 minutes.’
‘It’s the votes that should count not the Counts that should vote!’
Who ever knew Australia was full of deserts and almost impossible not to perish on the journey through the Great Australian Bight? Guess who completed the journey? Have you heard of Edward Eyre?
Learn about Yagan the Noongar man from Western Australia and how he was decapitated and taken back to England for display. It was offensive and it is history.
My opinion about this book is that it is intriguing yet fun to read. The book is suitable for Year 4s and up. I will give it a rating of 7/10.
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* Yidarra Catholic Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. The book reviewed here was Celine’s own copy.
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