Thursday's Child (Hartnett novel) facts for kids
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Front cover of first edition
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| Author | Sonya Hartnett |
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| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Realist young-adult novel |
| Publisher | Penguin Books |
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Publication date
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31 August 2000 |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 223 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | 978-0-14-029732-4 |
| OCLC | 248050261 |
| LC Class | PZ7.H267387 Th 2000 |
Thursday's Child is a young adult novel written by the Australian author Sonya Hartnett. It was first published in 2000 by Penguin Books. The story takes place in Australia during the 1930s, a tough time known as the Great Depression. The book follows a young woman named Harper Flute and her family as they face many challenges because of poverty. This novel won the Aurealis Award for best young-adult novel. It also earned Sonya Hartnett the 2002 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in the United Kingdom.
Contents
About the Book
Thursday's Child is a story that explores what life was like for families during a very difficult period in history. It's a realist novel, meaning it tries to show life as it truly was. The book helps readers understand the struggles and hopes of people living through hard times.
The Story of Harper Flute
The story centers on Harper Flute, a young girl growing up in rural Australia. Her family lives in a small, rundown house. They are very poor and struggle to find enough food. Harper has several siblings, and they all work hard to survive.
One day, Harper discovers a hidden tunnel under their house. This tunnel becomes her secret escape. She spends time there, imagining a different life. This secret place helps her cope with the harsh reality of her family's poverty.
The book shows how Harper and her family try to make ends meet. They face hunger, illness, and constant worry. Harper often feels responsible for her younger siblings. She tries to protect them from the worst parts of their difficult life.
Life During the Great Depression
The Great Depression was a time when many people lost their jobs. This happened all over the world in the 1930s. In Australia, farms struggled, and many families became very poor. People had trouble finding food and a place to live.
The setting of Thursday's Child shows these challenges clearly. The Flute family's struggles are a good example of what many families went through. The book helps young readers understand this important part of history. It shows how people found strength and hope even in tough times.
Main Characters
- Harper Flute: She is the main character of the story. Harper is a strong and imaginative girl. She tries to help her family survive.
- The Flute Family: Harper lives with her parents and many brothers and sisters. They all work together to face their daily challenges. Each family member plays a part in their struggle for survival.
Awards and Recognition
Thursday's Child has received important awards for its powerful story. These awards show how much the book was liked by critics and readers.
Aurealis Award
In 2000, Thursday's Child won the Aurealis Award for best young-adult novel. This award celebrates the best science fiction, fantasy, and horror books in Australia. Winning this award showed that the book was a top choice for young adult readers.
Guardian Children's Fiction Prize
In 2002, Sonya Hartnett won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. This is a special award given in the United Kingdom. A panel of British children's writers judges the books. This prize is given only once to an author. It recognized Thursday's Child as an outstanding book for young readers.
