Ngurra Home by CARL MERRISON and HAKEA HUSTLER is the third book in their best-selling ‘Black Cockatoo’ series. The third and final book follows Mia in her final year of university studying Conservation and Wildlife Science. Read on for a Q&A.
Ngurra Home is the final book in your ‘Black Cockatoo’ series – what’s new for Mia in this book?
Mia has been on a big adventure since we met her in the first book at 12/13 years old in Black Cockatoo back in 2018 when she was grappling with her identity and place in her outback community. In Dirrarn we followed her to boarding school in Perth and the challenges she faced code-switching and walking in both worlds (Western and Jaru), and dealing with homesickness, racism, bullying and chasing her dreams. In Ngurra Home Mia is now at the end of her university degree when she is called to help stop a threat to her community. She is strong, determined and skilled. She has a deadly group of friends who take this next journey with her.
In what ways does Mia draw on her studies and work at the wildlife sanctuary to help her fight for country?
Mia has been preparing for this her whole life. Through the guidance and teachings of her grandparents and family, through the resilience and grit she had to develop when schooling away, and then now her studies. Mia’s life prepared her for this moment. The lessons she had to learn, the challenges she had to overcome, her intergenerational strengths. She also learnt the technical, whitefella ways of creating change too – through her volunteer work at the sanctuary and her studies at university. She is two ways strong. She has the Western knowledge and traditional knowledge to help empower her to stand up for what she feels is right.
What was your favourite part of writing this book?
Being able to finish Mia’s story. We don’t have to wonder anymore. She did it.
What are some of the biggest lessons Mia learns in this novel?
Mia learns her own strength. And she finally feels like she knows who she is and where she belongs. The series is a coming of age story, a story of walking in two worlds, a story of determination and intergenerational strength.
Who is this book for?
This book is aimed at young adult readers in high school.
This book is for the fans of Black Cockatoo who have grown up with her journey – they might have read Black Cockatoo in year 4 or 5, then Dirrarn in Years 6 or 7, and now they are ready to join her last adventure.
It’s for remote outback Aboriginal students to see a potential pathway (a door opened), or see themselves in the book (a mirror, reflection of their own lived experiences).
It’s for mainstream readers to have a peak through the window into the lives of people from different cultural backgrounds and lived experiences.
We think readers who enjoyed Tim Winton’s Blueback would enjoy this book.
What was it like saying goodbye to these characters and stories?
Black Cockatoo was our first book. Our first print run was only 500 books and a really small advance but we were so happy that it could reach Halls Creek kids and those across the Kimberley. Then it went onto be shortlisted for many awards, be studied all over Australia and is still our best seller. It started our writing career. So, while we now have written many books, Mia’s story will always have a place in our hearts. It is a beautiful relief to finish telling her story.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Carl Merrison is a Jaru and Kija man from Halls Creek. Carl works with young Indigenous boys through the Clontarf Academy focusing in improving engagement with education and providing a positive role model. Carl was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2016.
Hakea Hustler is an experienced English teacher who has taught around Australia including in remote Aboriginal communities. Hakea is committed to Indigenous education with a particular focus on story as learning and empowerment. Together, Carl and Hakea’s debut novella Black Cockatoo was published by Magabala Books in 2018 and was shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Book of the Year, shortlisted in the CBCA Young Reader category, shortlisted for an ABIA award, selected as a feature text for the 2018 Summer Reading Challenge.
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