English

Years 9-10

Across the Nightingale Floor

Author:

Lian Hearn

Text type:

Novel, series

Setting:

Japan

One of a trilogy set in feudal Japan.
Lian Hearn is a pseudonym for Gillian Rubenstein.

Alive in the Death Zone

Author:

Lincoln Hall

Text type:

Autobiography

Setting:

Tibet, Nepal

Lincoln Hall's survival story of being left presumed dead after reaching the summit of Mt Everest in 2006.

Amaryllis

Author:

Craig Crist-Evans

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

Vietnam, USA

A tale of two brothers set against backdrop of the Vietnam War in the 1960s–70s.

Anila's Journey

Author:

Mary Finn

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

India

Menace and mystery lie in wait for Anila Tandy who secures a job drawing birds for an English naturalist, travelling on a river boat up the Ganges River. Anila will use this journey to search for her father, missing for years and presumed dead. Anila must test herself in the man's world of India, in the late 1700s.

Chalkline

Author:

Jane Mitchell

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

India

Set in Kashmir, India, this is the story of a Muslim boy, Rafiq, who becomes a child soldier in the India–Pakistan conflict over Kashmir. The author was born in Ireland.

Chenxi and the Foreigner

Author:

Sally Rippin

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

China, Australia

At 18, Anna defers her university studies in Australia to visit her father in Shanghai and falls in love with a Chinese painter.

Chinese Cinderella – The secret story of an unwanted daughter

Author:

Adeline Yen Mah

Text type:

Autobiography

Setting:

China

This is an abridged version of Falling Leaves, Yen Mah's autobiography of life in war-time Shanghai.

City of Ghosts

Author:

Bali Rai

Text type:

Novel, historical

Setting:

India

This novel is set in Amritsar in north India's Punjab region in 1919. It places young characters amongst events that resulted in a British military atrocity, hence the title. Listed for the 2010 Carnegie Award. The author is British of Indian decent.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Author:

Ang Lee (Director)

Text type:

Film, 2000 feature film

Setting:

China

This film is popular with students for its juxtaposition of 'aerial martial arts', a sacred sword quest, and an unrequited love story all set in stunning landscapes. It has parallels with Romeo and Juliet. Teacher activities can be found in Film Asia by Kwok and McKnight. Rated M (Australia).

Escaping Paradise

Author:

Warren Flynn

Text type:

Novel, 2001

Setting:

Indonesia

A tropical holiday turns into a nightmare for Nicki when she is kidnapped by freedom fighters and held to ransom. But, it's not her the kidnappers want. They think she's the daughter of an oil magnate, whose money can pay for the weapons they need. When they discover she isn't, things can only go from bad to worse.

Film Asia: New Perspectives on film for English

Author:

Juanita Kwok and Lucinda McKnight

Text type:

Resource text

Setting:

Asia region

Provides stimulating background information and activities for fifteen films from Asia, including films listed here. Combines critical perspectives with teaching and learning ideas and supports teachers making links to Asia in creative and relevant ways in the English classroom.

Films featured for these levels include:

• Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (China)
• Not One Less (China)

Hanabi

Author:

Geoffrey Ainsworth

Text type:

Range of text types including: Poetry, comics (manga)

Setting:

Japan

Presents a variety of texts from or about modern Japan (including poetry, narrative comics, examples of different forms of language, etc) accompanied by full-colour photographs and learning activities designed to promote intercultural understanding.

Hey Joe

Author:

Michael Hyde

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

Vietnam, Australia

This is set in the Vietnam War era but is unusual because it explores the viewpoint of counter-culture. The title is from the Jimi Hendrix song. It is also about father–son relationships. Consider this text if you are looking at Australia's current role in Vietnam. Popular with male students. Listed as a 'Notable Book' in the 2004 CBC Awards.

Indo Dreaming

Author:

Neil Grant

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

Indonesia, Australia

A contemporary surfing odyssey incorporating Indonesian geography and culture, set in Indonesia and Western Australia.

Japan Diary

Author:

Trudy White

Text type:

Novella, diary format

Setting:

Japan, Australia

The personal journeys of two exchange students, one Australian and one Japanese presented in diary style.

Little Paradise

Author:

Gabrielle Wang

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

China, Australia

Set during WWII, this is a love story set amongst Chinese and Western cultures. Mirabel follows her love from Melbourne to Shanghai. The author is of Chinese–Australian descent and has won awards for her previous books.

Mao's Last Dancer

Author:

Li Cunxin

Text type:

Autobiography

Setting:

China, USA, UK, Australia

This is Li Cunxin's memoir of his origins in rural China and journey to become an international ballet dancer. He lives in Australia with his family and is also a stockbroker. This novel can be supported by the film version of Mao's Last Dancer. Winner Australian Book of the Year (2003).

Marrying Ameera

Author:

Zhang Yimou (director)

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

Pakistani – Australian context

A love story centering on Ameera, the 17-year-old daughter of an Australian mother and Pakistani father. The Australian writer draws from her teaching experience in Pakistan and explores arranged marriages.

Not One Less

Author:

Zhang Yimou (director)

Text type:

Film, 2000 feature film

Setting:

China

The village mayor appoints a 13-year-old girl to be the substitute teacher. The film is visually stunning. Film Asia by Kwok and McKnight includes a chapter on this film. Rated G (Australia).

Only the Heart

Author:

Brian Caswell

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

Vietnam, Australia

This novel was written in collaboration with film maker and refugee David Phu An Chiem. It presents two stories about the same Vietnamese character ten years apart.

Photographs in the Mud

Author:

Dianne Wolfer, Brian Harrison-Lever (illustrator)

Text type:

Picture book

Setting:

Japan, Australia, Papua New Guinea

This book of photographs presents the story of the Kokoda Trail in 1942 from two viewpoints – one of a Japanese soldier and one of an Australian soldier. It explores commonalities as well as differences.

Sold

Author:

Patricia McCormick

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

Nepal, India

This novel explores a taboo subject of child prostitution. The 13-year-old main character, Lakshmi, comes from a poor rural family. McCormick travelled to Nepal and India to research the book and interviewed women in Kolkata's red light district, as well as girls rescued from the sex trade.

Stormy with a Chance of Fried Rice – Twelve Months in Jakarta

Author:

Pat Walsh

Text type:

A collection of personal anecdotes

Setting:

Indonesia

This book is set in Indonesia and contains 40 short pieces on people, places, events and experiences the author had whilst there. It contains humour and insights into local culture from the authors perspective. There is an additional classroom resource for teachers of Indonesian, which is available on Pat Walsh Publications

The Rainbow Troops

Author:

Andrea Hirata

Text type:

Fiction Novel, also available on DVD

Setting:

Indonesia

This beautifully written Indonesian rite of passage novel in the narrative voice emphasises themes of overcoming adversity and taking a stand for what you believe in.

The Spare Room

Author:

Kathryn Lomer

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

Japan, Australia

Akira's family send him to Australia from Japan to learn English. He also learns to live between two cultures.

The Swap

Author:

Wendy Catran

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

Japan, Tonga, New Zealand

This novel takes place from WWII to the 1950s. It is a tale of two girls and their experiences of internment and inter-marriage.

Tiger Stone

Author:

Deryn Mansell

Text type:

Novel

Setting:

Indonesia

Set in 14th century Java, this mystery adventure novel offers unique cultural and historical insights into Indonesia.

Two Pearls of Wisdom

Author:

Alison Goodman

Text type:

Novel, historical fantasy

Setting:

China

Set in ancient China, this tale is based on the ancient lore of Chinese astrology and Feng Shui. The protagonist, a girl dressed as a male, is called Eon and is training to be a Dragoneye.

Unpolished Gem

Author:

Alice Pung

Text type:

Autobiography

Setting:

Chinese – Cambodian – Australian context

This is Alice Pung's memoir of her Chinese parents' post-Cambodia migrant experience, and her subsequent life in Melbourne. A great story telling voice, funny and poignant. For further information, go to: Book reviews – The Age.