Footprints on the Moon by Lorraine Marwood

It is 1969. In this verse novel Lorraine Marwood revisits world events at this time - the Vietnam War and the imminent Moon Landing. She explores events here in Australia - conscription and it's effect on young men and their families. And gives her readers a personal perspective when she introduces us to the Burley family who experience dreadful loss during 1969 when their loved grandmother who has been showing signs of early dementia, suddenly dies.

Young Sharnie Burley has now moved to high school. She has to navigate old and new friendships, deal with the loss of her beautiful grandmother who was her closest friend and she also has to make sense of the conflicting views in her family. Her teenage sister Cas has met a young returned soldier and she now has strong views against Australia's involvement in Vietnam. Dad supports the war because he proud of the service by his own father during World War II. Sharnie's new friend Gail has an even closer connection to this conflict because her brother has recently been killed in Vietnam.

Footprints on the Moon will be published tomorrow! I was excited to discover that I had read this new Australian verse novel just one day before it will hit the bookshop shelves. I recommend this book for readers aged 10+ and junior high school students who are studying Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war. Here are a set of very detailed teachers notes to use with Footprints on the Moon.

The best verse novels contain emotional stories and this is certainly true of Footprints on the Moon. The relationship between Sharnie and her precious grandmother is beautifully described. You may want to make a tray of  Peanut Brittle (recipe is included), prepare a cup of tea and find an older family member who can share their own memories with you.  I could really identify with Sharnie and her classmates squashed into a small classroom to watch Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. I clearly remember this day when we all squashed into a double classroom in my Primary school peering at the distant and very small television screen:

On Friday 

the announcement 

crackled over 

the loudspeaker:

'Man on the moon, 

view and be part 

of history. 

Two TV sets 

will be available 

to watch 

in the home domestic rooms, 

the largest spaces in the school 

but if you can 

watch it at home, then do 

so, you have permission 

to go home at lunch break, 

just bring a note from your parents,' 

says Mr Grear.

I think of Grandma

how she would have loved

this moment, wondering

about those three astronauts

training, working, waiting ...

There have been a few nostalgic novels published recently which will appeal to thoughtful readers who have an interest in the past.

52 Mondays

Catch a falling Star

You might also look for this fabulous book which was recently awarded a Newbery Honour.