RABBIT-PROOF FENCE

Rebekah Germain narrates Pilkington’s emotionally wrenching biographical story of three girls’ 1,000-mile journey across the unforgiving Australian desert. Germain’s narration brings the racial politics of 1930s Australia into sharp focus as she recounts the shameful facts of “The Stolen Generation.” In 1931, Australian law removed aboriginal children and children of mixed race from their families in an attempt to assimilate them into the white culture. The “stolen” children were relocated to camps and forbidden to speak their native language or practice their aboriginal heritage. Germain keeps things understated in the face of high drama. Molly (Pilkington’s mother), Gracie, and Daisy make a daring escape from their settlement, evade authorities, and survive on whatever the bleak landscape offers, making a valiant effort to return home. This book was made into an Australian film in 2002. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2011]