Tunnel to Tar-Ra

Susan E Boyer

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Paperback

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English

Birrong Books
18 June 2024

Children's & Educational; Children's & young adult fiction & true stories

‘Tunnel to Tar-Ra’ is the exciting the story of perilous adventures of four fictional teenagers who travel back in time. Investigating a tunnel leading from Sydney’s ‘Hero of Waterloo’ hotel, they eventually find themselves in a cave, in 1791, near Sydney Cove. During their first afternoon, overlooking Dawes Point (Tar-Ra), Jemima, Oliver, Millie and Archie, meet Nanberry, an Indigenous youth. Nanberry commences covert assistance by helping them with a secluded night bush-camp.

The time travellers have stepped into a living history book. As recorded in journals, letters and reports by the British First Fleet settlers of Sydney Cove they meet Aboriginal and convict people, they witness or hear of events and see the settlement living conditions of those times.

During their adventures the time travellers experience some living conditions in Sydney Cove. They witness an amputation, the flogging of a convict and the daring ocean escape of convicts William and Mary Bryant. They meet and engage with diverse inhabitants who lived in Sydney Cove at the time and learn so much about those early settlement days. Seeing the plight of the Indigenous people firsthand does not escape them.

After witnessing clandestine events, the youngsters become separated. With Nanberry and Boorong’s assistance they reunite on Me-Mel Island (Goat Island). Whilst on the island they share campfire stories that provide an opportunity for readers to consider ethical issues.

They eventually locate the entrance to the cave that can lead them back to modern-day Sydney.

By: Susan E Boyer
Imprint: Birrong Books
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 148mm, Spine: 12mm
Weight: 268g
ISBN: 9781877074073
ISBN 10: 1877074071
Pages: 220
Publication Date: 18 June 2024
Recommended Age: From 13 to 18 years
Audience: Young adult , Preschool (0-5)
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Susan was a contemporary Australian author with over twenty non-fiction TESOL resource titles in print. Her first book, published in 1998, 'Understanding Everyday Australian - Book One' is still in demand today. In the mid-2000s she followed her passion for early Australia history and published 'Across Great Divides - true stories of life at Sydney Cove' then followed the with her young reader edition 'Stories of Life at Sydney Cove'.Very sadly, in 2021 Susan, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away in February, 2022.Susan's many achievements include attaining a BA, MA and Grad Dip. In 2019 she commenced her Masters, and has been awarded a posthumous PhD. She was a dedicated and passionate researcher in the English language and early Australian history areas. Susan gave many presentations on TESOL subjects both domestically and internationally. Susan completed over 50 historical author talks and was on the ABC 'Conversations' with Richard Fidler in April 2015.

Reviews for Tunnel to Tar-Ra

A story with a great pace and lots of drama and I have learned a lot about the intimate history of the settlement. I really enjoyed 'Tunnel to Tar-Ra' and I feel that it has really hit the mark for young readers.Prof. Susanne Gannon Boyer captures a sense of story, character and place. The revelations about the extraordinary life of Nanberry bring to the forefront stories that should never be forgotten. An important, wonderful work.Dist. Prof. Larissa Behrendt