My Australian Story: Outback - the diary of Jimmy Porter, Central Australia, 1927-1928

Christine Harris

A Scholastic Press Book

October 2005 $16.95

188p hc

ISBN: 1-86504-850-X

Outback by Christine Harris is a diary form novel about a boy named Jimmy Porter. This is an historical book, which speaks of the outback. The yarns in this book are true but have also occurred in many other places in Australia.

Jimmy lives alone with his dad but when his dad is sent to prison Jimmy has to go and live with his uncle in Central Australia. The homestead that Jimmy has arrived in is a days’ walk away from even the nearest neighbor. He misses his dad and the city. Jimmy wants to go back to his home with his dad but for now he’s got to make the most of it. After being in the outback for a while Jimmy sees the beauty of it and copes well even with his cousins but when disaster strikes Jimmy and his cousins go out for help. It will be very tough finding help or will they even find any?

I think this book is suited for readers older than nine because this book contains some fairly sad parts. This book takes place from 1927 to 1928 so some things are very different then compared to now.  Overall I think Outback is a fantastic book. I think if other people read this book they’ll be thankful for the things they have because back in Jimmy’s time they didn’t have most of the things available now.

Sarah, aged 11, Canberra, ACT