Her father makes the difficult decision to emigrate to Australia in the hope that the faraway land of Australia will offer a brighter future.
Through Teresa, Deborah Abela immerses us in the crumbling surroundings of bomb alerts. I felt the ground beneath me shudder with every explosion.
Then Teresa takes us deeper into the reality of war. What would you do if your house was destroyed? How would you feel when you searched the streets for someone you love, not knowing if you'd ever see them smile again?
Teresa A New Australian makes the timeless, but terrifying story of suffering and surviving war very real, but she goes further than that. She helps me feel what it's like to be torn between the hope of a new life and the security of staying in the place I know.
I get the chance to consider what it would be like to be a war refugee through Teresa's shared thoughts and fears. But I also get to consider what it takes to gather the courage to face not only war and migration, but the unwelcoming new world she is expected to call home.
Deborah Abela leads us through traumatic experiences with a gentle touch, allowing me to share Teresa's hurt and desperation without letting these things overwhelm. She also shows me how compassion and kindness can break through barriers in unexpected ways.
Teresa is a timeless classic that deserves to grace the shelves of every history buff. But it's more than that. Teresa is a tale of hope and resilience for readers of all ages.
Title: Teresa A New Australian
Author: Deborah Abela
Publisher: An Omnibus Book from Scholastic Australia, $16.99
Publication Date: 1 March 2016
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781742990941
For ages: 8 -12 years
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
