Books with author James Aylward

Bertie was a big “hairy man” from the Angali Mountains to the south of Papunya. His mob had been called Yipandipandi since the Dreaming. But now the local blackfellas, that “Honey Ant mob,” called him Pungalungu. His “hairy” mob was sort of distant relations of the Papunya Pintupi and Luritja blackfellas. Now Bertie Jangala Pungalungu was tired. He had just walked all the way from his home, down from the Mountains to the Papunya community. Already he was missing his wife, Lipirinya. He had a lot of Walcha, (relatives), in Papunya, but decided not to visit them. His relatives would just “humbug” him too much, and demand all his “sitdown” money. He needed it for his trip. Pungalungu was going to Canberra. He was going to see the Prime Minister of Australia. Do you know why he was going to see the Prime Minister of Australia?Australian author and teacher, James Ward is uniquely placed to write about indigenous issues, having lived and worked in many remote Aboriginal communities. This deftly crated story of Pungalungu is much more than a tale of a man in search of a better way, it is a wonderful learning device with carefully selected questions and fun exercises. It will prove an invaluable tool for teachers working with indigenous children.

Bertie was a big “hairy man” from the Angali Mountains to the south of Papunya. His mob had been called Yipandipandi since the Dreaming. But now the local blackfellas, that “Honey Ant mob,” called him Pungalungu. His “hairy” mob was sort of distant relations of the Papunya Pintupi and Luritja blackfellas. Now Bertie Jangala Pungalungu was tired. He had just walked all the way from his home, down from the Mountains to the Papunya community. Already he was missing his wife, Lipirinya. He had a lot of Walcha, (relatives), in Papunya, but decided not to visit them. His relatives would just “humbug” him too much, and demand all his “sitdown” money. He needed it for his trip. Pungalungu was going to Canberra. He was going to see the Prime Minister of Australia. Do you know why he was going to see the Prime Minister of Australia? Australian author and teacher, James Ward is uniquely placed to write about indigenous issues, having lived and worked in many remote Aboriginal communities. This deftly crated story of Pungalungu is much more than a tale of a man in search of a better way, it is a wonderful learning device with carefully selected questions and fun exercises. It will prove an invaluable tool for teachers working with indigenous children.

In this exciting children’s adventure story, the horse-riding Tallman Gang on Palm Island trap a gang of nasty bikers and thugs. These thugs are smuggling grog, drugs and spray paint for the drinkers, dopeheads and “huffers” on the Aboriginal island. Guided by an ancient Munbarra spirit, the kids in the gang have all the tricks, wisdom and skills of kind old Wuuga Wugga, a Spirit Elder. As well as this they also have modern whitefella gear such as digital phones, welding equipment and uncles with powerful rifles. Crooks trying to “poison” the people of Palm Island better run for cover! Soon they’ll be very “wongy” and in the hands of the local coppers. James Ward is a specialist English As Second Language teacher who has worked with remote area Aboriginal students for fourteen years. He found that his students were more interested in stories about the people and things they knew first hand then the story books used in mainstream schools. They like reading stories that tell of past Aboriginal culture as well as the present one. The enjoy stories about mythical characters from The Dreaming, but also stories about real kids doing real things in terms of their own present day culture. James has taught in Arnhem Land, the Kimberleys, Bamaga, Palm Island and the Central Australian Desert.

What if you had an imaginary Sci-Fi world and it morphed into reality? You find something truly amazing - something of high strangeness that could change the future?How would such an event affect you and your relationships with family and friends? Could you handle the responsibility and keep it a secret. If not, whom would you tell?What if the game you think you’re playing is no longer a game and you discover you’re not in control. Would you betray someone to save a loved one? Could you put your trust in a group of strangers to help you?These are some of the issues faced by teenagers Leo and his friend Dani as Leo goes from zero to hero.

What if you had an imaginary Sci-Fi world and it morphed into reality? You find something truly amazing - something of high strangeness that could change the future?How would such an event affect you and your relationships with family and friends? Could you handle the responsibility and keep it a secret. If not, whom would you tell?What if the game you think you’re playing is no longer a game and you discover you’re not in control. Would you betray someone to save a loved one? Could you put your trust in a group of strangers to help you?These are some of the issues faced by teenagers Leo and his friend Niki as Leo goes from zero to hero.

Leo, a teenager is having a hard time dealing with family upheaval and bullying at school. Sci-Fi is his escape from a world he thinks hates him. However, he finds his imaginary Sci-Fi world morphs into reality. As a result, Leo and his friend Dani discover it's no longer a game and they are not in control. They find something amazing - something of high strangeness that can change the future. This changes the relationships with family and friends. If you were Leo could you handle the responsibility and keep such a secret? If not, whom would you tell? Could you betray someone to save a loved one? Could you put your trust in a group of strangers to help you? These are some of the issues faced by teenagers Leo and his girlfriend Dani as Leo goes from being a zero to a hero.