In the early days of settlement in Australia there were a number of escaped convicts who were taken in and saved from starvation by Aboriginal people. I didn’t make Major Manners an Aboriginal man because it is not my right to tell that story. But I do know that there are still thousands of Aboriginal bones in museums across the world. Maybe in another fifty years they will all have been returned to their rightful resting places.
Like Hedley Hopkins, I came to Australia on a boat. Today we have other people who have arrived in Australia on boats and a lot of them including children have been put straight into refugee camps. Next to their problems the ones I had seem so small.
What a story the people who are on the other side of the razor wire fence will have to tell one day.
When they have a voice.
Paul Jennings
December 2004
about the author
‘Dear Paul Jennings,
How do you know what it’s like to be me?’
A LONG TIME ago a young boy asked this question in a fan letter to Australia’s biggest-selling writer of children’s books. Since then, thousands of children have asked very similar questions of their favourite author. Somehow or other, this sensitive and funny man understands exactly what it’s like to be a young person today. Perhaps in some ways he is still a child inside. Readers all over the world love him for it and he has sold over eight million books worldwide.
Having been voted ‘favourite author’ by children in Australia more than forty times, it’s no wonder he was named a KOALA* Legend in 2004. Adults too have recognised his work: Unseen won the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award in 1997 for the best children’s book; and for his services to children’s literature, in 1995 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia and in 2001 he was awarded the Dromkeen Medal.
also by paul jennings
Unreal!
Unbelievable!
Quirky Tails
Unbearable!
Unmentionable!
Undone!
Uncovered!
Unseen!
Tongue-Tied!
The Cabbage Patch series
(illustrated by Craig Smith)
The Gizmo series
(illustrated by Keith McEwan)
The Singenpoo series
(illustrated by Keith McEwan)
Wicked! (series) and Deadly! (series)
(with Morris Gleitzman)
Duck for Cover
Freeze a Crowd
Spooner or Later
Spit It Out
(with Terry Denton and Ted Greenwood)
Round the Twist
Sucked In…
(illustrated by Terry Denton)
How Hedley Hopkins Did a Dare…
Paul Jennings’ Funniest Stories
Paul Jennings’ Weirdest Stories
Paul Jennings’ Spookiest Stories
FOR ADULTS
The Reading Bug … and how you can help your child to catch it
FOR BEGINNERS
The Rascal series
More information about Paul and his books can be found at www.pauljennings.com.au and puffin.com.au
* Kids’ Own Australian Literature Awards