The story is inspired by the life of John Hudson, an
orphan, who at nine years old was the youngest convict on the First Fleet. He
was sentenced and transported to the Port Jackson penal colony for stealing.
At Port Jackson, food is running out and John is
shown kindness by the convict woman Isabella who teaches the children to read
and write in their square of wetted sand. It is through her diary entries that
we discover the state of the convicts; the lack of food that forces children to
steal to stay alive; how few people cared about planting food, regardless of
their hunger, and how harsh the soldiers were with the punishment they meted
out.
But John is being sought by the soldiers for
stealing some apples and is caught and sent to Norfolk Island. But in his heart
as in the wood of the ship’s hold, he has carved the three words that Isabella
taught him – Never Lose Hope!
It’s also the story of convict Isabella Rosson, the
first teacher at Port Jackson. The chaplain Richard Johnson and his wife Mary
supported her when she opened the first school. Her teachings helped the
convicts live a better life through learning and literacy.
Beautifully constructed with evocative and
realistic artwork depicting the lives of our convict forbearers, this gorgeous
book is a collector’s dream and a priceless addition to any bookshelf.
Title:
Never Lose Hope: The Story of Australia’s First School
Author/Illustrator:
Mark Wilson
Publisher:
Hachette, $26.99
Publication
Date: April 2018
Format:
Hardcover
ISBN:
9780734416797
For
ages: 7+
Type: Picture Book
