The Blue-Eyed Aborigine - Softcover

Rosemary Hayes

3.44

59 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1909991392 ISBN 13: 9781909991392

Publisher: Troika Books, 2016

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

It is 1629, and there is mutiny in the air aboard the Dutch ship Batavia as she plies her way towards Java with her precious cargo. Jan, a cabin boy, and Wouter, a young soldier, find themselves caught up in the tragic wrecking and bloody revolt that follow. But worse is to come...
Based on the diaries of the ship's Commander, Rosemary Hayes recaptures some of sea history's most dramatic moments, linking the fates of of Jan and Wouter with discoveries that intrigue Australians to this day.
Praise for Payback:

"This is contemporary novel-writing at its most relevant."

The Independent

This title is also available as an ebook, in either Kindle, ePub or PDF editions

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

A definite must-read this summer! (www.youngwriters.co.uk)

A confronting look at a significant event in history, with deft interpretation and excellent character development - a great read. (nayusreadingcorner)

Hayes gets the tone, pace and action just right. Jan's story is gripping. Straight on to the school readings lists for this one, and for the best possible reasons." (Weekend Australian)

A fascinating documentary but also a gripping adventure story that raises timeless questions about human behaviour, conditioning and ultimately the power of love. (Magpies)

A fascinating adventure story about a real-life drama including the possibility of early contact between Indigenous Australians and Western Europeans. Suitable for readers aged 13+, this interesting based-on-fact historical fiction novel is likely to appeal to teens with an interest in Australian history, particularly stories of early European contact with Indigenous Australians. (www.suite101.com)

Having read many accounts of this tragic episode, I was impressed by the author's research and skill in relating history whilst telling a captivating tale. Necessarily for younger adolescents, many explicit details are avoided and the volence and degradation are described as moderately as possible. (www.readplus.com.au)

A fascinating story. (School Librarian)

Makes an enthralling and often exciting read. (Ibby Link)

A great read for girls and boys who like a bit of adventure... I would recommend this book to anyone. You'll never want to put it down!
Nansi, age 11 (Aquila)

About the Author:

Rosemary Hayes lives and works in Cambridgeshire. She has written numerous books for children including historical and contemporary fiction and fantasy – many of which have been shortlisted for awards. She is also a reader for an authors’ advisory service and enjoys helping unpublished writers to hone their skills. Rosemary lived in Australia for six years, and her first children's novel Race Against Time, set in Australia, was runner-up for the Kathleen Fidler Award. Rosemary's first Frances Lincoln book, Mixing It, about the relationship between a Muslim girl and a non Muslim boy against a background of terrorism, was shortlisted for the South Lanarkshire Book Award. Her next book, Payback, is based on the actual experiences of a young Muslim woman who was brave enough to defy her family and reject the husband chosen for her.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.