Yong
The Journey Of An Unworthy Son
Age 9+
General Fiction
The journey of an unworthy son.
“Yong,” my father said one night as I sat on the earthen floor, stroking my pet cricket and determined to save it from being eaten. “You will come with me to Australia.”
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?
Creators
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.
Reviews
Engaging, well written and deserving of a place in every school library, Yong: the journey of an unworthy son is suitable for all ages, particularly upper primary and early secondary. Beautiful front cover art work, short chapters, clear type and excellent writing make this novel appealing and accessible.
Reading Time
