About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the feeling of being an outsider or is starting to ask complex questions about mixed heritage and social justice. Through the diary of Chek Chee, a boy living in 1901 Sydney, children explore the tension of belonging to two worlds. As Australia moves toward Federation and the restrictive White Australia Policy, Chek Chee navigates the dual pressures of racism from the public and being viewed as an outsider by his own Chinese community because his mother is white. This historical novel offers a realistic look at how political shifts impact individual families and friendships. It is particularly well suited for children aged 9 to 13 who are ready to discuss systemic unfairness, the nuances of honesty versus survival, and the importance of forging one's own identity. By witnessing Chek Chee's resilience, young readers gain a framework for understanding their own place in a diverse and sometimes exclusionary world.
