The Nargun and the Stars facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Patricia Wrightson |
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| Illustrator | Robert Ingpen |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Hutchinson |
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Publication date
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1973 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 158 pp |
| ISBN | 0-09-117690-5 |
The Nargun and The Stars is a children's fantasy novel written by Patricia Wrightson. It is set in the wild lands of Australia. This book was one of the first Australian children's books to use stories and ideas from Australian Aboriginal mythology.
The book won a big award in 1974, the Children's Book Council of Australia's Children's Book of the Year Award for Older Readers. The author, Patricia Wrightson, also received a special honor for her work on this book. Later, the story was made into a mini-series for television in Australia in 1981.
Contents
The Story of Simon
This exciting story takes place in Australia. It is about an orphaned city boy named Simon Brent. Simon goes to live on a huge 5000-acre sheep station called Wongadilla. This station is in the Hunter Region and belongs to his mother's cousins, Edie and Charlie.
Discovering Ancient Creatures
In a hidden valley on the property, Simon finds many ancient creatures. These beings come from Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. They are very old and magical.
- Potkoorok: This is a playful water-spirit. It has green scales and loves to cause mischief.
- Turongs: These are tree people, connected to the forest.
- Nyols: These are cave people, living deep within the earth.
The Awakening of the Nargun
The biggest challenge comes when heavy machines arrive. They are there to clear the land. This loud activity wakes up a scary stone creature called the Nargun. The Nargun is a powerful being from the old legends of the Gunai or Kurnai people. These people lived in the area now known as the Mitchell River National Park in Victoria. Simon and his new family must find a way to deal with this ancient, powerful being.
Awards for the Book
The Nargun and the Stars received an important award.
- Won: CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers (1974)
The TV Mini-Series
The book was turned into a television mini-series. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation made it between 1977 and 1978. Margaret Kelly wrote the script for the show. Lynn Bayonas was the producer. The series had five episodes, and each one was thirty minutes long. It first aired on September 15, 1981.
