My Story: The Rum Rebellion - the diary of David Bellamy, Sydney Town, 1807-1809
Libby Gleeson
Scholastic Press 2001
174p pbk $15.95
ISBN: 1-86504-362-1
This book is about a young English boy named David Bellamy who was sent to Australia to live with his uncle as his parents died. When he was on the boat, he received a ships log (diary), he writes in this diary almost everyday and tells the story of when Governor Bligh was in power and believed in giving the wealthy and the soldiers less power and supporting the farming community.
Recommended forolder readers and teenagers
Nicholas, aged 14, Canberra, ACT
This book is a well-written historical novel. It is a diary and, as diaries usually do, has lots of different things happening at the one time, instead of in normal novels, which usually revolve around one or two things. It would best suit readers age 11+ who like realism.
It is set in 1807-1809 Sydney Town, and revolves around a boy named David Bellamy, who is writing the diary. After emigrating from England, David is first afraid of the strange new environment of New South Wales, its inhabitants and its wild creatures. He even fears his relatives with whom he stays. He gradually gets used to the work, his relatives and he makes new friends, Kitty and Ralph. When the military march on Government House, everyones lives are changed.
This novel has one drawback; it leaves a lot of things unanswered. It ends leaving you with a lot of questions that only your imagination can answer, one of which is, What happens to Davids family?. This is a good book overall; I found it enjoyable and easy to relate to. It gives a clear understanding of what life was like in the early days. I give this book 9/10 for storyline, 6/10 for the ending and 7/10 overall.
Edward, aged 13, NSW
After the death of his parents in England, young David has no other choice but to travel by ship to Australia, where his only living relatives are. When there, he meets a variety of people and is introduced to the native flora and fauna. Tragedy comes when, on Australias 20th birthday, drunken soldiers raid Government House and hold him under arrest. With the help of his friends, Kitty and Ralph, they are able to warn people. One of those people was Davids Uncle George. He fights and fights for his release, but is eventually arrested. Other people are rebellious and want to send a letter to the King himself, but are unable. With continuous fighting, they are able to send the perpetrators back to England where they will be tried for treason, and are able to elect a new governor.
This is the next exciting installment in the My Story series. Other titles in the series include Surviving Sydney Cove, Plagues and Federation, and Who Am I?
This book is an easy read. If you are interested in Colonial Australia, Australian history, or just want to sit down and read a good book, I suggest that you read this book. I give it 8/10 since it was a great read, but can be misleading and confusing to younger readers.
Greg, Year 8, Canberra, ACT
I thought this book started off quite dull but became more interesting towards the end. When David Bellamy first came to Australia, he was pretty much scared of everything like convicts, wildlife and Aboriginals (Indians). The first half of the book is a little slow because all he talks about are his fears and small domestic happenings that I didnt really want to know about and quite frankly dont care about. But it is good how the diary entries are succinct and informative. David Bellamy describes his feelings and the characters well so you get a pretty good idea of whats going on. The most interesting characters from my point of view are Jim, Dog, Mr Lewin, Kitty, Ralph and Davids Uncle George. It was difficult to pick up this book because it wasnt really my cup of tea. I would recommend this book to 11, 12 and 13 year olds who enjoy historical fiction. But just because I didnt like it doesnt mean you wont, so give this book a go, its not half bad!
Lloyd, aged 12, Canberra, ACT
This book is set in the early 1800s. It is the story of David Bellamy. After his parents die David travels from his home in England to live with his uncle, aunt and cousins in Sydney Town, Australia. When he first arrives David is scared, because convict Australia is so different to what he is used to in England, even the weather is incredibly different. He makes good friends with Kitty and Ralph and together they sneak into the Governors garden to see the military arrest Governor Bligh.
This book gives us a brief glance at difficulties faced by people back in the early days of Australias history. I thought it was a really good book with a good storyline and Id recommend it for anyone 14 years and over, especially for those who enjoy reading about Australian history.
Jasmine, aged 12, Burnie, Tasmania
