About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is processing news of social unrest, witnessing unfair treatment of others, or asking why people are sometimes targeted for being different. Set in the 1860s Australian goldfields, this diary-style novel follows Shu Cheong as he navigates a world where his culture and presence are met with increasing hostility and violence. It is a powerful exploration of institutional racism, the resilience of the human spirit, and the quiet courage required to maintain one's dignity. While the historical setting provides a safe distance, the emotional themes of justice and belonging are deeply relevant to modern conversations about equity. Ideal for readers aged 10 to 14, this story offers a window into a difficult past while modeling how friendship and integrity can light the way through dark times. Parents will appreciate it as a catalyst for discussing civil rights and the importance of standing up for others.
