Grace Beside Me

LONGLISTED, 2016 CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS, EVE POWNALL AWARD FOR INFORMATION BOOKS Beneath the hot, blue sky, Mana is joined by her brothers, sisters and cousins, as well as her many mothers and her favourite dogs. With wonderful wit, Mana recounts hunting, gathering, kinship, obligations and the never-ending search for water, all told through the eyes of a young girl. The Girl from the Great Sandy Desert is the charming account of the life of Mana, a young Walmajarri girl, and her family in the desert country of north-west Australia. Mona’s semi-autobiographical narrative is set before European settlement impacted their lives. Complementing each story are cultural insights that enhance the understanding of desert life, and makes for compelling reading for all ages. The acclaimed Gooniyandi (Fitzroy River) artist Mervyn Street’s black and white illustrations capture the subtleties of the Walmajarri way of life. See also Growing up in the Desert, a DVD about author, Mona Chuguna.