WELCOME TO AUSTRALIAN USED HOMESCHOOL BOOKS!
AUSTRALIANA NON-FICTION - BUSHRANGERS
Australia in History “Robbery Under Arms: Dark Days on the Highways” (Geoff Hocking) $6 HB EC (Ex lib) The discovery of gold in the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria in 1851 saw the arrival of thousands of gold-seekers from around the world. Among them were hundreds of 'vandemonians', convict escapees and absconders who were not eager to dig for gold, but were happy to steal it from the diggers. These hard men who had suffered the lash across their backs, and endured deprivation and debasement, rarely sought to redeem themselves in honest labour on the diggings. They took to the roads, and took from the fortunate diggers all that they had, often leaving travellers tied to trees in the thick forests leading to the diggings. Tells the stories of some of the most feared early bushrangers: the Eureka Gang, George Melville, Captain Melville, and Black Douglas, 'the scourge of the traveller'. 11+ http://www.geoffhocking.com/images/robbery.jpg
Australia’s Most Notorious Bushrangers (Anna Sheppard) $4 HB EC (Ex lib) These were a group of desperate men who stole and threatened and killed. But some think they were just misunderstood battlers, fighting back against injustice and unfair authority in any way they could. Read the facts and make your own decision - villains or heroes? Well-organised under clear headings and well-presented information about Australia's most notorious bushrangers with contents, websites, a glossary and ideas for related things to do. 10+ http://www.thenile.com.au/books/Anna-Sheppard/Australias-Most-Notorious-Bushrangers/9781740702218/
Bushrangers (Victoria Hazell) $3 PB EC (Ex school) An early reader style book with simple text and lots of great illustrations. Looks at how bushranging began and at some of the famous rangers like Jacky Jacky, The Wild Scotsman, Mad Dan Morgan and Ned Kelly. 6-9 YO
Story Of Australia Volume 2 “Bushrangers: The Wild Colonial Boys” (Tim Cattell) $4 PB VGC Tim's background in education and art has resulted in a growing list of very popular and highly motivational comic style books. Topics covered in this volume include why men turned to bushranging, life on the run, the influence of the gold rushes and prominent bushrangers including Frank Gardiner, Ben Hall, Captain Thunderbolt, Thomaas Willmore and the Kelly Gang. Each chapter includes comprehension questions and extension activities. Highly recommended! 8-12 YO
Settling Australia “The Bushrangers” (Stephen Gard) $4 HB GC (Ex lib) Asks why a handful of criminals are so important to our nation’s history. The bushrangers were the first non-indigenous Australians to fight openly against the law. They also added style, colour and spirit to a new nation. They were the local heroes of their day, and are remembered in out history as legends. Some of their attitudes may still be with us today, such as a love of the underdog and defiance of the law. Full of illustrations as it considers the main bushrangers. 9+
Cassell’s Adventure Series “Australian Bushrangers” $4 HBDJ GC A collection of chapters from Australia’s leading writers tell the story of Frank Gardiner and the Eugowra Hold-Up; Captain Moonlight; Jackey-Jackey the gentleman bushranger; Morgan the murderer; the courtesy of Ben Hall; the stick up of Jerilderie by the Kelly gang and many more. Wonderful illustrations by Jack Larkin enhance this fantastic book! 8+
Australian File “Bushrangers” (Garry Disher) $3 HB GC Children are fascinated by outlaws, but few books describe in detail how bushrangers lived and operated. This book draws children right into the period and helps them understand why men turned to bushranging. It is frank about the suffering they caused and the punishments they received. Nice, simple text and lots of illustrations make this a good beginner’s book. 8-12 YO
Bushrangers (David Van Asten) $3 PB GC A lively picture book telling children about how bushranging came about. Includes the stories of Black Caesar, Michael Howe, Matthew Brady, Mad Dan Morgan, Ben Hall, Captain Thunderbolt and more. Lots of wonderful pictures and simple text. 5-9 YO.
Australian Bushrangers (Bill Scott) $5 PB EC (Ex lib) An authoritative source book on Australian bushrangers - men who were fugitives from the law, who robbed, stole stock and sometimes killed. From this lawless period of our past when most men went armed, the names of Frank Gardiner, bold Ben Hall, Captain Thunderbolt, Captain Moonlight and Ned Kelly are well remembered. Less well known but equally daring and desperate were William Westwood ("Jacky-Jacky"), the Wild Scotsman, "Old Harry" Power, "Mad Dan" Morgan, and the Clarke Gang. Bill Scott gives an insight into the lives, times and exploits of these men and of those who hunted them. Bill's lively and interesting text is accompanied by a selection of illustrations and photographs from the period. Some popular poems, which express the sentiment of "bushranger as hero" in many cases, are also included. Recommended! 10+ http://www.bookworm.com.au/shop/scditem.asp?ProdID=14622
Australian Library “Bushrangers” (Stephen Gard) $3 HB EC (Ex lib) The bushranger is a colourful character in Australia's history - but what is the truth? We admire some of the bushranger's qualities - his courage, independence, humour and swagger - but we hate his greed, his cruelty and his violence. This book looks at the life and times of some of Australia's most notorious bushrangers. It also seeks to put their deeds into context by providing a glimpse of early Australian society. 7-10 YO http://www.bookworm.com.au/shop/scditem.asp?ProdID=13304
Australia’s Bushrangers "The Bolters" (Pamela Graham) $4 HB EC (Ex lib) Convicts like Black Caesar became the first bushrangers as they bolted into the bush and stole food to survive. Alexander Pierce, the cannibal bushranger, Matthew Brady, the gentleman convict and Michael Howe, Governor of the Ranges are also looked at. Wonderfully laid out and illustrated books, sure to capture any child! Full of original engravings and photos of artifacts. Includes glossary, bibliography and index. Highly recommended! 9+
Australia’s Bushrangers "Felons On The Run" (Pamela Graham) $4 HB EC (Ex lib) Once the Felons Apprehension Act was introduced in 1865, stating that a wanted could be declared an outlaw and anyone could shoot him without bringing him to trial, the bushrangers became more determined not to be caught and often caused them to fire first to avoid being captured. Discover the interesting stories of Tom and John Clarke, thoughtless killers; James McPherson, the Wild Scotsman and Joseph Bolitho Johns, Moondyne Joe. Wonderfully laid out and illustrated books, sure to capture any child! Full of original engravings and photos of artifacts. Includes glossary, bibliography and index. Highly recommended! 9+
The Legend of Moondyne Joe (Mark Greenwood) $6 HB EC (Ex lib) Moondyne Joe was not known for blazing gunfights or robbing banks. It was the convict bushranger's amazing ability to escape every time he was placed behind bars that won him fame and the affection of the early settlers. Wearing a kangaroo-skin cape and possum-skin slippers, he roamed the wooded valleys and winding creeks at Moondyne Hills. But when he was blamed for the disappearance of a farmer's prize stallion, the colonial establishment was soon to find out that there wasn't a jail that could hold Joe! WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PREMIER’S AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE BOOK Wonderful illustrations! 5-9 YO http://www.artbeatpublishers.com/mark/gallerypages/musicpages/MoondyneJoe.html
The Wild Colonial Boy (Pat Edwards) $2 PB GC A colourful picture book telling the story, in simple text, of bushranging and Jack Donahoe, famous outlaw, in the 1820s around Castlemaine. Includes the words and music to the song. 5-8 YO http://www.oztion.com.au/vshops/item.aspx?itemid=3328866&shopid=3484 (Same series, similar cover)
Who Was Ned Kelly: Gangster Hero of the Australian Outback (Charlie Boxer) $5 PB VGC (Ex lib) Ned Kelly, born into a large family of Irish settlers in Australia, grew up bad. Cool and defiant, he graduated from horse-stealing, to cattle-thieving to 'robbery under arms'. Then, at 23, he shot three policemen dead. For the next two years, Ned was on the run - the most wanted criminal in the colony of Victoria, the man who would 'rid Australia of its corrupt, violent police'. This is the story of Ned's life, and of how, despite being a known murderer, he became one of Australia's greatest national heroes... 9+ http://www.tower.com/ned-kelly-boxer-charlie-paperback/wapi/109476642
Australia in History “The Kelly Gang: The Last of the Bushrangers” (Geoff Hocking) $5 PB EC Tells the story of Ned, his brother Dan and their mates Joseph Byrne and Steve Hart, as they took on the police and the government in their quest to change their world for the better. Lavishly illustrated throughout with hundreds of engravings, paintings, posters, photographs and items of ephemera, this book makes history a joy to read. 10+ http://images.bookdepository.co.uk/assets/images/book/large/9781/7407/9781740702157.jpg
Livewires Real Lives “Ned Kelly” (Janet Merkur) $4 PB VGC The Real Lives books are about famous people from the worlds of: Australian Politics and History; Sport; Film and Music. This book tells the story of the bushranger Ned Kelly. It has many photographs and pictures of Ned during his life. Simple, clear text. 7-10 YO http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0521776260/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
Ned Kelly (Ken Little) $2 HB VGC In 1855 Ned Kelly was born. When ll years old his father died. So Ned left school and was soon in trouble fighting. Before long he was sent to jail. He had stolen a horse...... Great pictures and maps in a story of simple text of this outlaw for the younger reader. 6-9 YO http://www.oztion.com.au/vshops/item.aspx?itemid=3328866&shopid=3484
Bold Ned Kelly Activity Book $5 PB VGC Full of mazes, colouring in pages, word searches, dot to dots, codes and stories about the life and deeds of Ned. Recommended! 5-12
Australian Library “Ned Kelly” (Barrie Sheppard) $3 HB EC (Ex lib) This book gives a comprehensive coverage of Ned Kelly and his family background. It is a well organised presentation with photographs, illustrations and maps that support straightforward, easy-to-understand text. It features maps, fact files, authentic photographs and pictures, timelines and resource lists (including websites) for further research. 9+ http://www.bookescape.com.au//indexPrev.php?artId=61
Ned Kelly (Frank Clune) $3 HB EC Vivid paintings and an interesting, story-like text on this most famous of Australian outlaws, makes this a library ‘must have!’ 8 + http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Young-Australia-Frank-Clune/dp/0207135010
An Illustrated History Of The Kelly Gang (Alec Brierley) $3 PB VGC Wonderfully illustrated with cartoons by Brierley, accompanied by an accurate account of the Kelly Gang and the events and outcomes of their saga. 9+ http://cgi.ebay.com.au/AN-ILLUSTRATED-HISTORY-OF-THE-KELLY-GANG-A-Brierley_W0QQitemZ8429787943QQihZ001QQcategoryZ122820QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Ned Kelly – After A Century Of Acrimony (John Meredith) $5 HB EC (No dustjacket) The centenary of the hanging of Ned Kelly has brought forth a number of books about the outlaw and his gang. John Meredith and Bill Scott, both eminent folklorists, have combined in this book to give a clearer picture of the events from both viewpoints than has been available before. They present the evidence as stated by Kelly himself in his own writings, and the findings of the Royal Commission of Enquiry, and includes a collection of songs and musical scores inspired by the Gang, some of which they actually wrote. A very comprehensive book on the Kelly Gang history. Illustrated with drawings, musical scores and photos. 11+ http://biblion.co.uk/b/037l/3701037-0-l.jpg
(Last update November, 2010)
