When We Were Two
Robert Newton
Penguin Books
October 2011
$17.95 AU
196p pb
ISBN: 978-0143566830
from Penguin Books...
Dan
and his brother Eddie take off for the coast, in search of their lost
mother, in search of a better life . . . but it's a long road they face
and Dan must use all his wits to get them there in one piece.
When they are taken under the wings of a group of would-be soldiers
marching over the mountains to join up for the Great War, Dan and Eddie's
journey becomes something quite unexpected. The experiences they
share will shape their future beyond recognition.
This extraordinary rite of passage is a powerful, heart-rending story –
Robert Newton at his very best.
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This story is set during the time of 1916. The story is about 16 year old Dan and his little brother Eddie who left their home from Gunnedah to walk to Port Macquarie, to find their Mum and a better life. But it’s a long road and they had to face many difficulties. They find themselves associating with different characters, good and bad that they meet on their journey. When they are taken under the wings of some marching soldiers over the mountain to join up for the Great War, Dan and Eddie’s journey becomes something unpredicted. The experiences they share will shape their future ahead of appreciation.
I found this story very touching, powerful and heart aching. I loved the sense of place in this novel. I really liked the wisdom of understanding between strangers in outback Australia. I especially loved the relationship between Dan and Eddie, the brothers the story is centred around. I would recommend this story for early and mid teens. The book is like a true story and is very heart rending. The book has a great moral which leads you towards your family values and to never lose hope. It tells you that whatever happens your family will always be there for you. The most interesting and fascinating part of the book was that even though they had to go through many hardships they still found their destination. The story is very adventurous with true feeling. This is the most heart touching story I have ever read.
Sabeen, age 16, Canberra , Australia