Ursa

Kiwi YA author Tina Shaw won critical acclaim – and an Australasian publishing deal – with this story, which has resounding echoes of life in Nazi Germany. Tribes are segregated, books burned and propaganda rules. Factory gates are festooned with “work makes you free” style slogans, and fertility is restricted.

Scuttling through the back streets and alleyways of this world is Leho, a 15-year-old Cerel boy who lives on his wits in and outside the ghetto. He forms an attachment with a posh Travester orphan girl and seizes an opportunity to attack the heart of government. This is a gripping, pacey and accessible winter read – one of my Year 10 boys has his nose buried in it currently. A great option for English-social studies cross curricular units, too.

Title: Ursa

Author: Tina Shaw

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

ISBN: 9781760651244

RRP: $22.99

Format: paperback

Date of Publication: April 2019

Ages: 11-16

Reviewer’s name: Christine Rush, English teacher

Reviewer’s School name: Western Springs College

How highly are you recommending this book? Highly recommended

What’s the book’s opening sentence? They're burning books again in Hubert Square.

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