Fromelles

The latest in the multi-award-winning The Drum series, by the multi-award-winning Carole Wilkinson.

The Battle of Fromelles lasted less than 24 hours in which more than 5000 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. More Australian soldiers died at Fromelles than in the Boer War, Korean War and Vietnam War combined. What was the purpose of this bloody and ultimately pointless loss of life? And why, almost a century later, did the world s attention shift to the village of Fromelles?

The Battle of Fromelles was the first major battle fought by Australian troops on the Western Front. All but forgotten, it is now receiving much attention, with the discovery of the mass grave of Australian soldiers. DNA identification of these soldiers will continue for several years.

The combination of fiction and non-fiction, maps, quotes, fact-boxes, photographs and diagrams make this and fascinating read for both children and adults.

Fromelles was short-listed for the Eve Pownall Award in the 2012 CBCA Awards.

About the author

Carole Wilkinson s best-selling Dragonkeeper series is loved by children all over the world and is available in more than 20 different editions. Her work has been lauded and awarded by teachers, librarians, booksellers and the most important judges of all children. Carole s previous Drum title, Black Snake, was a CBCA honour book.

Reviews

"…a fantastic introduction to one of Australia's most devastating moments in history… for many readers, this is exactly the kind of book that will inspire a love of history for years to come."
Junior Bookseller + Publisher, Term 1, 2011

"…a great asset for schools, providing insight into Australia's place in history. Its meticulous research is easy to read and it never gets dull."
Wendy Noble, goodreading, June 2011