Families who loved Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney, 1937 by Anita Heiss often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is exploring their own cultural heritage, grappling with questions of identity, or feels caught between two worlds. Written as the diary of a young Aboriginal girl in 1937, it follows Mary Talence, who was taken from her family and raised in a mission home. The story chronicles her struggle to understand who she is, where she comes from, and what it means to belong. It gently but directly addresses the pain of the Stolen Generations, racism, and the profound longing for family. For ages 9 to 12, this book is a powerful tool for building empathy and understanding a difficult part of Australian history. It provides both a mirror for Indigenous children and a window for others into the importance of identity and connection.
