The Midwife of Parramatta River: Life, Love, and Childbirth on the Australian Frontier

Written by Werner Stejskal

For fans of historical fiction, this short novel is a good choice.

Set in the early nineteenth century in the rugged frontier of New South Wales colony, the protagonist is Sergeant James Graham, who is a member of the Coldstream Guards. The journey to Australia is long and dangerous. Upon his arrival, Graham builds a cottage and divides his long days between duties of a police guard and a struggling farmer.

Graham is lonely and soon writes to his brother seeking a good English woman who would be willing to settle in this untamed land. He finds a strong woman who soon helps him build a midwife practice along the Parramatta River.

The story depicts the difficult life in the early Australian frontier and reveals a tender love story. It is a moving historical portrait of the difficult life of pioneers in a setting unfamiliar to most readers.

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The Family That Went to War

Written by Gordon Smith

The author was inspired to write this story because of genealogical family research. It begins in Cootamundra in New South Wales in 1911 when Australia was just six years old. Charles Power was about to marry Iris. The first world war would break out three years later. This memoir traces the stories of six young Australians who would leave their homeland to fight in a war for Great Britain. Only three of them would return.

The memoir follows the family members who served in Gallipoli and Tripoli. It reflects on the military history of their experiences as well as leave time in France and England. Its language is simple and straightforward filled with the gravity of the situation as well as moments of light humor. When the author starts to reflect on personal feelings, the plot seems to veer off course. Perhaps the author takes too much license in writing about how the brothers perceived the situation. Readers need to be aware that while much of the story has been carefully researched, there is an emotional family attachment. The story ends with Charles and Iris reflecting on the losses the family has suffered as well as the joys of raising their children.

The book provides a unique perspective on World War I. Homeschooling parents might want to explore using it to supplement primary sources. Recommended for readers ages ten and older.

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