Yarning Strong Caught Me a Wish

Warning to First Nations Peoples: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that the contents in Yarning Strong may include names and images of people now deceased.

Bindy is a non-Indigenous girl adopted into an Aboriginal family. She tells her family’s story in a unique voice, talking directly to the reader. Rocco, her beloved Aboriginal brother, is very sick and getting treatment for cancer in a city hospital. When Bindy is asked to write a post for the Totally Sick Kids blog, she tells many ‘Rocco’ stories. Grandad helps to comfort Bindy with his own tale of the wishing leaves, which she includes in her blog post. Bindy describes how she and Grandad catch their own leaves and write one wish for Rocco for each leaf caught. When a parcel arrives from Totally Sick Kids, Bindy and Grandad find it full of letters with wishing leaves, sent from all over Australia and the world. Rocco arrives home with their parents, cleared of cancer; the family are together again, surrounded by good wishes from everywhere.

Caught Me a Wish is part of the Yarning Strong series, a vibrant and purposeful series of novels and anthologies by First Nations authors, created to inspire Years 3–6 students while supporting meaningful classroom learning. Rich in story, voice and perspective, each text offers teachers and students authentic opportunities to explore First Nations cultures and experiences through high‑quality literature.

Themes: The value of belonging • Determination achieves goals • Giving support is important