The Wearing of the Green

When Biddy arrives in Melbourne from Ireland in 1850, she knows exactly what she’s going to do – find her rebellious big brother, Ewen. Her plans are derailed when he’s not there to meet her and she’s forced into a situation that is nothing like she expected. Faced with challenges and chased by luck, bad and good, Biddy must find a strength within herself to build a new life – and to find her missing brother.

A thoroughly researched historical fiction novel from award-winning author Claire Saxby This story fits into the upper-primary – early-secondary history curriculum, which looks at migration, diversity, development of community, government and of country. Claire Saxby was inspired to write this novel by the difficulties and prejudice her Irish ancestors faced when migrating to Australia in 1854.

“This is a great book for schools, libraries and anyone with an interest in our history.”

Readings
Through her protagonist, Saxby teaches that survival does not simply mean food and shelter; it is the need for love, connection, and warmth. Resilience is the key to overcome adversity. Reading Time
This is a wonderful novel, covering themes of migration, racism, gender stereotypes, change and hope that is ideal for upper primary and lower secondary readers, particularly those who love historical fiction. Lamont Books
A beautifully crafted historical novel, The wearing of the green, by well-known author Claire Saxby, is a heart-warming and heart-wrenching story about the arrival of Irish famine orphan girls in Melbourne in 1850. Read Plus
And it is about hope – about never giving up and persevering with our goals and dreams even when things seem like they will never change, or seem hopeless. Biddy is a strong-willed character who never gives up, and I fell in love with her from the start. -- Ashleigh Meikle The Book Muse

Claire Saxby lives in Melbourne, Australia and loves her city. She is the bestselling and award-winning author of many books. There Was an Old Sailor (illustrated by Cassandra Allen) won the Society of Children's Book Writes and Illustrators Crystal Kite Award. Big Red Kangaroo and Emu (both illustrated by Graham Byrne) and Koala (illustrated by Julie Vivas) have won numerous awards including the Whitley Award, the Environment Award for Children's Literature, and Children's Book council of Australia (CBCA) Crichton Award. Koala was a CBCA Honour Book. Dingo (illustrated by Tannya Harricks was joint winner of the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature at the NSW Premier's Literary Award (2019); won the Royal Zoological Society of NSW's Whitley Award (2018); was shortlisted in 2019 for the CBCA New Illustrator Award, and Best Picture Book in the Educational Publishing awards.

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