Azaria: A True History: Year 6 English, History

COMING SOON! TERM 1 2025

Author & Illustrator: Maree Coote

Publisher:   Melbournestyle Books

Synopsis: What happens when the truth gets lost? Where wild animals and people meet, tragedy can strike. But when a tiny baby is stolen by a dingo people simply cannot accept such a thing. Prejudice and gossip grip the nation and the tragedy transforms into a fight for the truth. This is a true Australian story of innocence, ignorance and the perils of mob thinking. (Publisher synopsis)

Why PETAA is creating a new unit on this book: The rapacious media hounding of Lindy Chamberlain following the death of baby Azaria was a gripping story that taught us about prejudice and fear, challenged our understanding of the desert wilderness, and showed how much we have to learn about truth and human behaviour. It was a tragic, sensational and important story. Maree Coote’s historical narrative is an excellent telling of this horrific story and is a valuable resource for teachers in Year 6. It is a text that could be used in a range of subject areas: English, with its rich literary language and metaphor; History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship; and Personal and Social Capabilities, specifically, social awareness (how we can appreciate diverse perspectives).