Yong

The journey of an unworthy son.

Yong doesn't want to leave Guangdong to travel to the goldfields of Ballarat. But as the firstborn son, he has no choice. On the long and treacherous journey, Yong strives to be an honourable son, while he and his father face many hardships and dangers. But in his heart he knows the shameful truth - that his honour is a lie. Can a journey change lives? Has Yong the courage to face what lies ahead?

While set in the 1850s, the story has strong parallels with recent world events and the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. Meticulously researched, Janeen Brian has vividly and realistically brought to life 1850s' Chinese and Australian culture, and themes of prejudice, racism, exploitation, desperation and coping with change are explored.

Short chapters, relatable protagonist, gripping heart-breaking plot that sweeps from China to Ballarat, coupled with strong curriculum links makes Yong an excellent upper primary class novel.

About the Author

At age sixteen Janeen Brian trained as a primary teacher and at 18 stood in front of her first class of Year 5 students. Her teaching career saw her work as in junior primary, primary, drama and as a teacher-librarian. While raising a family, she began a four-year career with a professional children's theatre company, both acting and writing. She has also been involved in over 100 television and radio commercials as well as dozens of voiceovers for radio and video. She began dabbling in writing in her thirties.

Since then she has written over 80 books both in trade and education, and in genres ranging from picture books to poetry, short fiction, nonfiction and novels. Janeen has several awards to her name and many of her books have been translated and published overseas.