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Rabbit-Proof Fence
Fourteen-year-old Molly and her cousins Daisy and Gracie were mixed-race Aborigines. In 1931 they were taken away from their families and sent to a camp to be trained as good 'white' Australians. They were told to forget their mothers, their language, their home. But Molly would not forget. She and her cousins escaped and walked back to Jigalong, 1,600 kilometres away, following the rabbitproof fence as their guide across the desert.
This is the true story of that walk, told by Molly's daughter, Doris. It is also a prize-winning film.
This is the true story of that walk, told by Molly's daughter, Doris. It is also a prize-winning film.
80 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2009
About the author
Jennifer Bassett
161 books63 followersJennifer Bassett has been a teacher, teacher trainer, editor, and materials writer, and has taught in England, Greece, Spain, and Portugal. She is the Series Editor of the Oxford Bookworms Library, and has written more than twenty original and retold stories for the series, including The Phantom of the Opera, One-Way Ticket, The President's Murderer, and William Shakespeare. Two of her adaptations, Rabbit-Proof Fence and Love Among the Haystacks, have won Language Learner Literature Awards, and three of her other titles have been finalists for the Awards. She has created a new sub-series called Bookworms World Stories, which are collections of short stories written in English from around the world. She has also written original stories for the English Today Readers and Storylines series. Jennifer is series co-adviser, with H.G. Widdowson, of the Oxford Bookworms Collection, volumes of unadapted short stories for advanced learners.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 5, 2017
“In the life of an Aboriginal woman, no one is more important than her mother when she is young, her daughters when she is old.”
I knew very little about the (ugly side of) history of Australia, but this short book definitely was an eye-opener. Rabbit-Proof Fence is the harrowing true story of three mixed-race Aboriginal children who walked a thousand miles to get back to their mothers.
This book, written by Doris Pilkington, tells how her mother Molly and her younger cousins Gracie and Daisy were taking from their Aboriginal families and brought to a residential school for Aboriginal children. There they were told to forget everything about their native culture – the language, the songs, even their own mother – and to learn the British ways, so that these mixed-race children one day could serve as domestic servants and cheap labours.
Molly, Gracie, and Daisy, the girls only being 14, 10, and 8, of course wanted to go back home, and so Molly escaped with her cousins to make the long journey through the desert. Molly’s leadership skills are incredible: with her knowledge of the land and the animals, and her clever ideas to keep the British persecutors off their back, she was able to keep Gracie and Daisy safe during their heavy journey.
I’m a bit sad that I’ve read the Oxford University Press edition because the story has been shortened and simplified so that young children can read and understand the severe situation as well. This took away the impact and the edge of the story, but on the other hand movie-stills were added to the book, which helped me visualize the events and the main characters. Now I’m really interested in watching the movie based on this book…
So although the 3 stars are solemnly based on me reading this ‘child friendly’ edition, I do recommend this book to others because it’s part of a history that’s not very known and deserves a lot more attention.
I knew very little about the (ugly side of) history of Australia, but this short book definitely was an eye-opener. Rabbit-Proof Fence is the harrowing true story of three mixed-race Aboriginal children who walked a thousand miles to get back to their mothers.
This book, written by Doris Pilkington, tells how her mother Molly and her younger cousins Gracie and Daisy were taking from their Aboriginal families and brought to a residential school for Aboriginal children. There they were told to forget everything about their native culture – the language, the songs, even their own mother – and to learn the British ways, so that these mixed-race children one day could serve as domestic servants and cheap labours.
Molly, Gracie, and Daisy, the girls only being 14, 10, and 8, of course wanted to go back home, and so Molly escaped with her cousins to make the long journey through the desert. Molly’s leadership skills are incredible: with her knowledge of the land and the animals, and her clever ideas to keep the British persecutors off their back, she was able to keep Gracie and Daisy safe during their heavy journey.
I’m a bit sad that I’ve read the Oxford University Press edition because the story has been shortened and simplified so that young children can read and understand the severe situation as well. This took away the impact and the edge of the story, but on the other hand movie-stills were added to the book, which helped me visualize the events and the main characters. Now I’m really interested in watching the movie based on this book…
So although the 3 stars are solemnly based on me reading this ‘child friendly’ edition, I do recommend this book to others because it’s part of a history that’s not very known and deserves a lot more attention.
October 1, 2012
BOOK TITLE: Rabbit-Proof Fence
Publisher: Oxford
NOTES: It's a true story of Australian history. I'll go to Australia, so Mat recommended this book to me.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1-Do you know Aboriginies?Do you know how they spent?
-Yes, we learned about them when we were freshmen. they were discriminated by white people.
2-How will you do when you are taken away from your family? Can you walk over 1,000km?
-Maybe, I can't. But I would try to escape and go back to my family.
7-WORD SUMMARY:
1-half-caste
2-take away
3-escape
4-walk
5-the three girls
6-be caught
7-go back
Publisher: Oxford
NOTES: It's a true story of Australian history. I'll go to Australia, so Mat recommended this book to me.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1-Do you know Aboriginies?Do you know how they spent?
-Yes, we learned about them when we were freshmen. they were discriminated by white people.
2-How will you do when you are taken away from your family? Can you walk over 1,000km?
-Maybe, I can't. But I would try to escape and go back to my family.
7-WORD SUMMARY:
1-half-caste
2-take away
3-escape
4-walk
5-the three girls
6-be caught
7-go back
December 5, 2021
I have read the book Rabbit-Proof Fence. It is a book about three girls who were mixed-race and because of that they were taken away from theur families and send to a camp to learn the way of the white man. Then they try to run away form the camp by following the Rabbit-Proof Fence. They walked for days and days trying to get home.
What i liked about the book is that it is based of a real story wich makes it more interesting. You want to know what happens on the next page so it reads smoothly. At first it was a bit confussing who was who but the more you read the clearer it gets. I also really like the end of the book because it is them 70 years later wich is interesting. I would have liked the book more though if the girls' emotions would have been more on offer and what it was like for them to make the trip.
I would recommend the book because you look inside the lives of three young girls .It is interesting to know what was going on during that time period in another country and how the native people were treated.
What i liked about the book is that it is based of a real story wich makes it more interesting. You want to know what happens on the next page so it reads smoothly. At first it was a bit confussing who was who but the more you read the clearer it gets. I also really like the end of the book because it is them 70 years later wich is interesting. I would have liked the book more though if the girls' emotions would have been more on offer and what it was like for them to make the trip.
I would recommend the book because you look inside the lives of three young girls .It is interesting to know what was going on during that time period in another country and how the native people were treated.
June 11, 2014
La storia di Molly, aborigena mezzo sangue nell'Australia razzista degli anni 30.
la storia della cossidetta "generazione perduta", aborigeni con un genitore bianco, allontanati dalle loro famiglie e dalle loro tradizioni, costretti spesso con la violenza a dimenticare la loro lingua aborigena, le loro tradizioni, il loro culto, per diventare completamente "bianchi".
Questa è la storia che nessuno aveva mai raccontato prima. Una storia tenuta nascosta agli occhi degli Occidentali. Perché ovunque si vada, il razzismo lascia piaghe indelebili.
Imperdibile
la storia della cossidetta "generazione perduta", aborigeni con un genitore bianco, allontanati dalle loro famiglie e dalle loro tradizioni, costretti spesso con la violenza a dimenticare la loro lingua aborigena, le loro tradizioni, il loro culto, per diventare completamente "bianchi".
Questa è la storia che nessuno aveva mai raccontato prima. Una storia tenuta nascosta agli occhi degli Occidentali. Perché ovunque si vada, il razzismo lascia piaghe indelebili.
Imperdibile
June 5, 2017
this is a very moving story indeed, but the writing is veeeery basic, especially for me, considering it is a "stage 3" english book for school and ive been reading full-on adult fantasies in english since i was fifteen. anyways.
February 3, 2015
Well written account of yet another disgraceful episode in Australian history. Unfortunately western "civilisation" does not learn from these social injustices.
April 11, 2017
Good!
Es una adaptación y sentí que me faltaba información en algunos puntos.
Es una adaptación y sentí que me faltaba información en algunos puntos.
February 20, 2021
The story the book tells was truly astonishing... I’ve never known about training program that was targeted for Australian aborigines... in order to escape from Moore River Native Settlement, three girls Gracie, Daisy, and Molly walked more than 1600 kilometers to their hometown Jigalong. Gracie, however, gave up walking along the way to see her mum, ending up being caught by the government. It really hit me because it figuratively told me how perseverance changed their later life, in comparison with Gracie, who gave up tying, and Daisy and Molly, who eventually lived happy life in their hometown. This literature made me mettlesome to run a long marathon till the end.
December 5, 2022
3.0*
When I rate a book, I round down
5.0 - Amazing
4.5 - I loved it
4.0 - I liked it a lot
3.5 - I Liked it
3.0 - It was OK
2.5 - Just
2.0 - I wouldn't bother
1.5 - I didn't like it much
1.0 - I disliked it
When I rate a book, I round down
5.0 - Amazing
4.5 - I loved it
4.0 - I liked it a lot
3.5 - I Liked it
3.0 - It was OK
2.5 - Just
2.0 - I wouldn't bother
1.5 - I didn't like it much
1.0 - I disliked it
May 13, 2024
Quick read. Tragic situation. Heroic girls. Beautiful descriptions. Interesting geography and natural fauna.
Hopefully, we learn from history and don't repeat these policy and humanitarian mistakes. All people are created equal.
Hopefully, we learn from history and don't repeat these policy and humanitarian mistakes. All people are created equal.
February 16, 2022
good book. interesting story.
December 31, 2022
me gusto, no es mi estilo pero esta bueno
me gustaría leer la versión original porque siento que le da ptro toque
me gustaría leer la versión original porque siento que le da ptro toque
August 3, 2023
just made me sad
February 20, 2024
LOVED this book! Amazing insite towards Aboriginal History and culture. Every person needs to read this book.
June 2, 2022
Qué historia tan emocionante 😢
November 28, 2014
1. 11/27=45m,11/28=55m
2. Oxford level3
3. Aborigines
white
settlement
walk
hide
fence
track
4. Three girls who were mixed-race of Aboriginal mothers and white fathers were sent to a camp to learn how to be good 'white' Australians. Three girls were just eight to ten years old and had planned to escape from a camp. However, no one could did that. The older girl, Molly, Gracie and Daisy walked a long way everyday. They didn't have much food, but they were given meals from farmers and caught rabbits and cooked it. They experienced a lot of hardship during that journey. They had to escape from inspector. Could they arrive to their home?? Were they alive??
5. I was really moved by the act of three girls. It was so hard for little girls to walked constantly everyday and escaped from the police... But Molly who was oldest girl planned a lot! For example, she didn't walk the wet road to prevent to leave their foot prints. Moreover she made the fire for cooking in the hole to hide to be there. She was so claver!
I could feel how important to live with own family. We must be with our family! I think the reason why three girls could walk such a long way was love of family.
2. Oxford level3
3. Aborigines
white
settlement
walk
hide
fence
track
4. Three girls who were mixed-race of Aboriginal mothers and white fathers were sent to a camp to learn how to be good 'white' Australians. Three girls were just eight to ten years old and had planned to escape from a camp. However, no one could did that. The older girl, Molly, Gracie and Daisy walked a long way everyday. They didn't have much food, but they were given meals from farmers and caught rabbits and cooked it. They experienced a lot of hardship during that journey. They had to escape from inspector. Could they arrive to their home?? Were they alive??
5. I was really moved by the act of three girls. It was so hard for little girls to walked constantly everyday and escaped from the police... But Molly who was oldest girl planned a lot! For example, she didn't walk the wet road to prevent to leave their foot prints. Moreover she made the fire for cooking in the hole to hide to be there. She was so claver!
I could feel how important to live with own family. We must be with our family! I think the reason why three girls could walk such a long way was love of family.
October 21, 2013
Rabbit-Proof Fence
1. Publisher, Level
Oxford University Press, Level 3
2. Reading Time
130 min
3. 7-word summary
Jigalong, Aboligine, Half-Castes, Leaving, Learning in Settlement, Escaping, Going back to home
4. Discussion & Question
Q. If you were one of the half castes, which would you like to stay in the Settlement or run away from there?
A. I would like to run away from there because I would like to be free, not being tied. Moreover, I would feel regret that I couldn't say anything to my family or friends like "Good bye" and "Thank you".
5. What I thought about the book
I thought that three little girls would feel fear and would like to go back to thier home. At that time, white men were so cruel because they had never respected what Aborigines had thought or believed. I had been to Australia when I was a Freshman. However, I didn't know about the sad story. I think that we should know and let our children know about such history. Then, we should never discriminate against other people.
October 21, 2013
1. Publisher= OXFORD
Book Series= OXFORD BOOKWORMS
Level= three
2. 10/21=80min
3. 7words summary:
girls-white-caught-escaping-miserable-fence-home
4. If you were a one of the girl in this story, which action would you
take, escaping or obeying?
―――Maybe I'll obey and not try to escape because I'm afraid to be
caught and killed by escaping. Of course I want to back to my
home,but I'm a timid person so I'll give up to take an action to
escape or act againtst.
5. Duringthe last spring vacation I went to Australia, so this story
was touching for me. However I was surprised and moved by the girls
in the story because they had traveled 60 kilometers in only two
days! At last unfortunatelly Gracie was caught because of her
strong decision, but I feel that she isn't regretting about her
choise of stucking to her will.
Book Series= OXFORD BOOKWORMS
Level= three
2. 10/21=80min
3. 7words summary:
girls-white-caught-escaping-miserable-fence-home
4. If you were a one of the girl in this story, which action would you
take, escaping or obeying?
―――Maybe I'll obey and not try to escape because I'm afraid to be
caught and killed by escaping. Of course I want to back to my
home,but I'm a timid person so I'll give up to take an action to
escape or act againtst.
5. Duringthe last spring vacation I went to Australia, so this story
was touching for me. However I was surprised and moved by the girls
in the story because they had traveled 60 kilometers in only two
days! At last unfortunatelly Gracie was caught because of her
strong decision, but I feel that she isn't regretting about her
choise of stucking to her will.
June 13, 2013
1 OXFORD LEVEL3
2 80min
3 rabbit
fence
sister
army
Austraila
mother
father
4 I have a younger brother, but actually I want a younger sister! I often fight with him! - Really? I have younger sister. Maybe she is worse than your brother. She is good at behaving like a spoilt child so I am always scorded my mother!
5 The story is a real story in Austraila. Three aboriginal grils trid to go back their home town on their foot. They walked 2400km on the way home ot meet their parents. White people tried to come between aboriginal people and white people even they are family. How sad things it was! Discrimination always are brought some sad probrems for people. I think people should be fair.
2 80min
3 rabbit
fence
sister
army
Austraila
mother
father
4 I have a younger brother, but actually I want a younger sister! I often fight with him! - Really? I have younger sister. Maybe she is worse than your brother. She is good at behaving like a spoilt child so I am always scorded my mother!
5 The story is a real story in Austraila. Three aboriginal grils trid to go back their home town on their foot. They walked 2400km on the way home ot meet their parents. White people tried to come between aboriginal people and white people even they are family. How sad things it was! Discrimination always are brought some sad probrems for people. I think people should be fair.
February 21, 2019
Molly is determined, brave, resourceful, and clever. I think to give her proper credit one should include badass on this list. This is the story of how she spent her spring when she was 14. That would be the spring she got herself and 2 young cousins out of a guarded internment camp and across 1,000 miles of Western Australia. Read this book (or watch the movie) because her story is amazing and worth knowing and because child removal policies such as the one that pushed her into the endeavor are sadly part of our history and are also worth knowing about.
The writing style isn't especially superb or gripping on its own. It could be better, but it is well organized and fairly simple, so it could be much worse as well.
The writing style isn't especially superb or gripping on its own. It could be better, but it is well organized and fairly simple, so it could be much worse as well.
May 23, 2014
A book “Rabbit–Proof Fence” is a true story about the half-caste girls escaping from the Settlement which was built to train all the half-caste children to learn the white men’s ways. The setting of the story is in Jigalong, Australia. Rabbit proof fence is a fence that lets the rabbits stop eating the grass that were meant to be given to cows. Three girls: Gracie, Molly, Daisy were taken away from their parents and trained by white men. Three girls finally escaped the settlement and they got home safely. This book is a great example of the statement “never give up”. This book is really interesting and also I was touched and impressed by the writer’s writing skills.
November 10, 2014
11/10 25min
11/11 35min
TOTAL 60min
7-words summary
Aboriginal, runaways, desert, long, fence, home
Q: can you get your home in about 100km by walk?
A: I may not be able to do that, which means Molly and her sisters are quite tough both physically and mentally.
My opinion
Through I read this story, I imagine how difficult to walk along the way their home in desert all day. It is not easy for children, even adults. Also, I think the system for educate half-caste children should be chosen by children or parents. To divide forcibly only makes sad and I think the parents may realize they will not be able to see their children again.
11/11 35min
TOTAL 60min
7-words summary
Aboriginal, runaways, desert, long, fence, home
Q: can you get your home in about 100km by walk?
A: I may not be able to do that, which means Molly and her sisters are quite tough both physically and mentally.
My opinion
Through I read this story, I imagine how difficult to walk along the way their home in desert all day. It is not easy for children, even adults. Also, I think the system for educate half-caste children should be chosen by children or parents. To divide forcibly only makes sad and I think the parents may realize they will not be able to see their children again.
October 21, 2013
1. OXFORD
Level= 3
2.Time 10/21=85min
3. 7words summary:girls-half caste-camp-escape-rabbit-walk-home
4. If you were the main characters and your hometown were far from here, would you want to go back your hometown?
-Yes, because I have precious people, like my parents and friends in my hometown. If I couldn't go back to my hometown, I wouldn't stand it.
5. I thought this story was good to read. This story was real story and I could learn about Aborigines' history. Human rights are the most important problem in the world, so we should think about it.
Level= 3
2.Time 10/21=85min
3. 7words summary:girls-half caste-camp-escape-rabbit-walk-home
4. If you were the main characters and your hometown were far from here, would you want to go back your hometown?
-Yes, because I have precious people, like my parents and friends in my hometown. If I couldn't go back to my hometown, I wouldn't stand it.
5. I thought this story was good to read. This story was real story and I could learn about Aborigines' history. Human rights are the most important problem in the world, so we should think about it.
Currently reading
October 22, 20131. Doris Pilkington Garimara. Oxford bookworms. Level3
2. 150 minutes
3. Poor/ take/ shelter/ escape /home/ follow/ argue
4. If you make you leave from your parents, what will you do?
Or have you ever gone away home alone?
In my case actually, now I don't like my parents because I can't live freely however now I tend to appreciate to my parents. Now I became 20 years old, so all I have to do return the owing of my parents.
Actually, when I was third grade in a junior high school. I have gone away my home once time because I was irritated my mom.
2. 150 minutes
3. Poor/ take/ shelter/ escape /home/ follow/ argue
4. If you make you leave from your parents, what will you do?
Or have you ever gone away home alone?
In my case actually, now I don't like my parents because I can't live freely however now I tend to appreciate to my parents. Now I became 20 years old, so all I have to do return the owing of my parents.
Actually, when I was third grade in a junior high school. I have gone away my home once time because I was irritated my mom.
June 13, 2015
1. Oxford level3
2. 6/4-25m, 6/8-40m, 6/10-10m, 6/11-15m, 6/12-15m, 6/13-15m
3. Australia, Aborigine, rabbit proof fence, three sisters, run away, tough, government
4. A. When the youngest sister say I'm tired, the oldest sister always carries her.
B. I like this part because they are wonderful sister and I was moved by the oldest sister's kindness.
5. This story is the real story but I can't believe. These sisters are very strong and brave. I like this book and also I thought I want to watch this movie!
2. 6/4-25m, 6/8-40m, 6/10-10m, 6/11-15m, 6/12-15m, 6/13-15m
3. Australia, Aborigine, rabbit proof fence, three sisters, run away, tough, government
4. A. When the youngest sister say I'm tired, the oldest sister always carries her.
B. I like this part because they are wonderful sister and I was moved by the oldest sister's kindness.
5. This story is the real story but I can't believe. These sisters are very strong and brave. I like this book and also I thought I want to watch this movie!
October 16, 2013
1. Rabbit-Proof Fence, level 3
2. I spend 90 minutes on this book.
3. Girls Take-away European Ran-away Far Caught Returned
4. If you were girls, what would you do?
If I were girls, of cause, I wanted to return to my family. Even if it's difficult to return, I think I don't give up.
5. After reading this book, I didn't feel good because a few years ago, such as this book happened in other countries. I thought they are great. Also, I thought I want to read other true stories.
2. I spend 90 minutes on this book.
3. Girls Take-away European Ran-away Far Caught Returned
4. If you were girls, what would you do?
If I were girls, of cause, I wanted to return to my family. Even if it's difficult to return, I think I don't give up.
5. After reading this book, I didn't feel good because a few years ago, such as this book happened in other countries. I thought they are great. Also, I thought I want to read other true stories.
October 21, 2013
Publisher: Oxford bookworms level 3
Time: 10/17 60min 10/18 60min 10/20 60min
7-word summary: Girls-Discrimination-School-Run away-Fence-Policeman-Back home
Q&A
Have you ever seen Aboriginal people?
Yes, when I went to Australia to study English during spring vacation, one Aboriginal man came to school and showed us playing the some Aboriginal instrument.
I learned about Aborigine last year so I could understand the story easily. I felt sad reading this story.
Time: 10/17 60min 10/18 60min 10/20 60min
7-word summary: Girls-Discrimination-School-Run away-Fence-Policeman-Back home
Q&A
Have you ever seen Aboriginal people?
Yes, when I went to Australia to study English during spring vacation, one Aboriginal man came to school and showed us playing the some Aboriginal instrument.
I learned about Aborigine last year so I could understand the story easily. I felt sad reading this story.
October 21, 2013
90 minutes
Girls-Taken-escape-helped-hide-go back-live
If you were one of these girls, could you escape?
I'd like to escape, but I'm not sure whether I can escape from them completely and go back to the family.
This book was not so difficult to read, but this story did not make me feel good. While I was reading this book, I was thinking about the rights of the girls and the kindness of other people.
Girls-Taken-escape-helped-hide-go back-live
If you were one of these girls, could you escape?
I'd like to escape, but I'm not sure whether I can escape from them completely and go back to the family.
This book was not so difficult to read, but this story did not make me feel good. While I was reading this book, I was thinking about the rights of the girls and the kindness of other people.
October 21, 2013
Oxford University Press; Level 3
Time to Read: 90min.
7 words summary: Aborigine - education - settlement - better? - escape - journey - fence
Discussion Question
How distance can you walk in a day?
-Well, maybe, I couldn't walk even 10 kilometers in a day.
It's an incredible story that just girls almost walk through the Australian continent, I think. I am sorry for Gracie, but am happy to hear the end of this story.
Time to Read: 90min.
7 words summary: Aborigine - education - settlement - better? - escape - journey - fence
Discussion Question
How distance can you walk in a day?
-Well, maybe, I couldn't walk even 10 kilometers in a day.
It's an incredible story that just girls almost walk through the Australian continent, I think. I am sorry for Gracie, but am happy to hear the end of this story.
November 4, 2014
62min
7-word-summary
〜PASSAGE/EXCERPT from the book that you liked or didn't like〜
The scene that they have arrived at Jigalong.
〜Why did you like/didn't you like the passage/excerpt you wrote above〜
It was the ending of the story ,so really exciting!
I expected that all of them would be caught.
〜What do you think about the book (or part of the book that you read)〜
Actually, I felt some scenes were boring because the scenes were just that sisters are running away and suffered from injury.
7-word-summary
〜PASSAGE/EXCERPT from the book that you liked or didn't like〜
The scene that they have arrived at Jigalong.
〜Why did you like/didn't you like the passage/excerpt you wrote above〜
It was the ending of the story ,so really exciting!
I expected that all of them would be caught.
〜What do you think about the book (or part of the book that you read)〜
Actually, I felt some scenes were boring because the scenes were just that sisters are running away and suffered from injury.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews