Yarning Strong Ngalga Mathematics

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.

Brodie, a girl from Sydney’s wealthy harbour suburbs, wins a place in a selective girls’ maths forum in Toowoomba. However, her mother strongly objects to her being billeted with an Aboriginal family. The billet goes ahead, and thus Brodie meets Jaydeen, an Aboriginal girl who becomes her friend, and who goes on to win top position at the forum. Brodie returns to Sydney hoping to change her mother’s prejudices and develop a better relationship with her. Brodie’s mother reveals that she herself is of Aboriginal descent, not Greek as she has always claimed. The story ends with reconciliation between mother and daughter.

Ngalga Mathematics 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: Friendship across boundaries—racial, cultural, economic and regional • Racism