306:(1981), by Walter McVitty, pp 67–98. This is an overview and analysis of Spence's work, including a brief biographical sketch and a bibliography of her books. "Eleanor Spence is a writer with whose work increased familiarity breeds content—beyond the apparent blandness a richly rewarding experience awaits the reader who is prepared to give it the close attention it deserves."
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Maurice Saxby, the children's literature expert, wrote: "More than any other writers, Eleanor Spence and Joan
Phipson have perhaps helped guide the direction of Australian children's literature in the past 30 years. They have both expressed in their novels of family life not only social changes but
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is one example. She has spoken of a childhood fascination with orphans: "I yearned to adopt neglected infants, had to settle for adopting stray kittens or turning my assortment of dolls into orphanage-waifs." and orphans often feature in her books, notably the settler books and
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Often in her books she presents the situation of the young person who is in some way an outsider in his social setting. This alienation becomes the springboard for learning to overcome difficulties and growing in self-knowledge and self-confidence.
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Eleanor Spence was one of the first authors for older children to include issues such as disability, prejudice and homosexuality in her books. Glen, the protagonist of
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are about early settlers in the state, orphaned "pilgrims" from
England, struggling to establish a new home in the untamed Australia of the 1820s.
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135:(1928–2008) was an Australian author of novels for young adults and older children. Her books explore a wide range of issues, including
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Almost all
Eleanor Spence's books are set in New South Wales, with an emphasis on authentic Australian settings and characterisations.
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Many of her books demonstrate acute observation of family life, revealed with sensitivity and humour. The
Somerville family in
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Emeritus award for her outstanding and livelong contribution to
Australian literature. In 2006 she became a Member of the
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is partially deaf, and he strikes up a friendship with another "outsider", Reggie, an old meths drinker. Douglas in
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often resents having to look after his younger brother Carl, whose autism has disrupted their happy family. In
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Eleanor Rachel
Therese Spence was born on 21 October 1928 in Sydney, Australia. She attended the
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Rowan's decision to coach an
Aboriginal boy to play his beloved Rugby Union leads to trouble.
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Justin's friendship with Rudi develops an intensity he lacks the maturity to deal with.
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Innocence and
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the concerns and preoccupations of a growingly complex
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for her contribution to
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17 (February 1981). Spence discusses her life and work in an interview.
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covers the extraordinary history of two families on the NSW coast.
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deals with Catholic/Protestant conflict and teen pregnancy. In
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309:"A Conversation with Eleanor Spence," by Paul J. Bisnette, in
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18 (February 1982), analyses Spence's fiction for teenagers.
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Another October Child: Recollections of Eleanor Spence
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Orana: Journal of School and Children's Librarianship
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119:Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers
302:"Eleanor Spence: Observer of Family Life" in
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242:Miranda Going Home
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61:(2008-09-30)
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639:2008 deaths
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236:Two books,
85:Nationality
72:, Australia
628:Categories
538:Review of
453:References
428:Deezle Boy
121:1964, 1977
88:Australian
39:1928-10-21
494:. Austlit
155:Biography
96:1958-1991
552:Quoting
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194:won the
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498:17 July
147:in the
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141:autism
46:Sydney
318:Orana
66:Erina
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56:Died
31:Born
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