The Wearing of the Green

This is a great book for schools, libraries and anyone with an interest in our history. * Readings *Through her protagonist, Saxby teaches that survival does not simply mean food and shelter; it is the need for love, connection, and warmth. Resilience is the key to overcome adversity. * Reading Time *This is a wonderful novel, covering themes of migration, racism, gender stereotypes, change and hope that is ideal for upper primary and lower secondary readers, particularly those who love historical fiction. * Lamont Books *A beautifully crafted historical novel, The wearing of the green, by well-known author Claire Saxby, is a heart-warming and heart-wrenching story about the arrival of Irish famine orphan girls in Melbourne in 1850. * Read Plus *And it is about hope – about never giving up and persevering with our goals and dreams even when things seem like they will never change, or seem hopeless. Biddy is a strong-willed character who never gives up, and I fell in love with her from the start. – Ashleigh Meikle * The Book Muse *

Claire Saxby writes award-winning fiction, non-fiction and poetry for young people. She writes about history, about nature and more. Her books include Nature Storybooks (Big Red Kangaroo, Emu, Koala, Dingo, Kookaburra, Great White Shark, Tasmanian Devil and Wedge-tailed Eagle) which celebrate Australian wildlife and the places they live. Her historical novel, The Wearing of the Green, explores early colonial Melbourne. Claire lives by the sea and believes our world is a place of many wonders.