Explore Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander authors' perspectives of
their history and culture
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are the oldest living cultures in the world. They have existed in Australia for over 50,000 years.
To help your child learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture, the Department of Education and Training has put together a list of books by Aboriginal authors.
These books are suitable for students from Prep to Year 10 and can be read as part of the Premiers' Reading Challenge.
Deepen your child's understanding of the history, culture and lives of the Aboriginal community by picking up these books at your local library.
Primary school
Prep to Grade 2
- Clever Crow - Nina Lawrence and Bronwyn Bancroft (2018)
- Wilam: a Birrarung story - Aunty Joy Murphy and Andrew Kelly. Illustrated by Lisa Kennedy (2019)
- Hello and welcome - Gregg Dreise (2021)
Grades 3 to 4
- Black Cockatoo - Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler (2018)
- Kicking Goals - Anita Heiss, Adam Goodes and Michael O'Loughlin (2016)
Grades 5 to 6
- Young dark emu: a truer history - Bruce Pascoe (2019)
- Remembered by Heart - Edited by Sally Morgan (2014)
- Nganga - Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson (2018). For age 9+
Secondary school
Years 7 to 8
- Tell me why: for young adults - Archie Roach AM (2021). For ages 12 to 16
- Ubby's Underdogs: The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon - Brenton E. McKenna (2011)
- Us Mob Walawurru - David Spillman and Lisa Wilyuka (2006)
Years 9 to 10
- Dark Emu - Bruce Pascoe (2014)
- Becoming Kirrali Lewis - Jane Harrison (2015)
Background reading for parents
- The Little Red Yellow Black Book: an introduction to Indigenous Australia (3rd edition) - Bruce Pascoe. Published by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (2012)