Becoming Billy Dare encompasses an important and sometimes neglected era in Australian history. The decade preceding Federation was instrumental in establishing Australia's identity as a nation. Henry Lawson was in the prime of his working life, William Lane and other unionists were dreaming of a worker's utopia, and Australian popular culture was developing its own proud, distinctive flavour.
Many primary teachers use a range of both fiction and non-fiction texts in their teaching. Use these 6 research-based guidelines (Barton & Levstik, 2005) for selecting historical fiction:
1. Does the book tell a good story? A book must be good literature and good history.
2. Is the story accurate and authentic in its historical detail? Children's fiction deserves the same attention to historical accuracy as nonfiction.
3. Is the language authentic to the times? Completely authentic language is rarely possible in children's historical fiction. Look for the flavour of the times.
4. Is the historical interpretation sound? Avoid romanticised historical fiction.
5. Whose voices are missing? Consider who the participants in an event might have been, and select literature to represent those perspectives.
6. Does the book provide insight and understanding into current issues as well as those in the past? Well-written narratives have relevance for the present.
Many primary teachers use a range of both fiction and non-fiction texts in their teaching. Use these 6 research-based guidelines (Barton & Levstik, 2005) for selecting historical fiction:
1. Does the book tell a good story? A book must be good literature and good history.
2. Is the story accurate and authentic in its historical detail? Children's fiction deserves the same attention to historical accuracy as nonfiction.
3. Is the language authentic to the times? Completely authentic language is rarely possible in children's historical fiction. Look for the flavour of the times.
4. Is the historical interpretation sound? Avoid romanticised historical fiction.
5. Whose voices are missing? Consider who the participants in an event might have been, and select literature to represent those perspectives.
6. Does the book provide insight and understanding into current issues as well as those in the past? Well-written narratives have relevance for the present.