My Gallipoli wins NSW Premier's History Prize

The silver NSW Premier's History Awards medal and judges' notes.

After earning rave reviews from critics around the country, Ruth Starke's picture book My Gallipoli has been awarded a top prize at the prestigious NSW Premier's History Awards.

The book, which features illustrations by acclaimed South Australian artist Robert Hannaford, won the $15,000 Young People's History Prize.

My Gallipoli was praised by the judges for being “striking in its sophistication, treating young readers with respect”.

To read more about My Gallipoli, including reviews and teacher's notes, click here.


FULL JUDGES' COMMENTS:

"It is difficult for a children's book on Gallipoli to attempt to something new, but this one does. It combines innovation of presentation and power of narrative, told from multiple - often unexpected - perspectives.

"My Gallipoli begins with a quiet rural scene of a young Turkish shepherd tending his sheep on the Gallipoli peninsula prior to the campaign and ends with a visitor to the cemetery in 1990. Various narrators tell their story - ranging from Australian and New Zealand soldiers, an Indian muleteer, stretch-bearers, Turkish soldiers, nurses and many others - simply describing their experiences of Gallipoli. Real characters such as war correspondent Charles Bean and Turkish commander Alaturk are introduced. Evocative illustrations complement each narrative.

"The book is seamless, integrating pictures and words to make its reading both a pleasure and a challenge for young people. It is striking in its sophistication, treating young readers with respect. The author and illustrator have created a challenge to more traditional, stereotyped narratives of Gallipoli."