Synopsis
Fighting For Freedom is the story of WWII spy, Nancy Wake. It introduces young readers to her life; from her birth in New Zealand, her family’s move to and life in Sydney, Australia, her desire to escape her upbringing, her travels to and life overseas, her involvement with the French and British resistance during WWII, and her life after the War.
Author Inspiration
I am writing a series of books on Inspirational Australian Women.
I write them for numerous reasons.
I write them as a source of alternate, wonderful role models for today’s youth. Role models that inspire beyond the family, social and traditional media environments that saturate our youth’s lives.
I write them for my 3 boys, that will one day be men. In order to create a society of equality and respect, we must teach and guide both boys and girls, by providing them with appropriate female messaging. The values that we teach them today will form the basis of their future selves. So I write my books to introduce women who lived lives following their hearts and passions. Women who were determined to find expression of their true selves and would accept nothing less.
I write these books to inspire our youth to trust and believe in themselves.
Fighting for Freedom is a story about honour, perseverance, courage, the joy of life and fighting for what you believe in, fighting for freedom and humanity.
What is more inspiring than that?
Educational Themes
World War II.
1. The War
2. The Resistance
3. Allies vs Axis, Australia’s involvement
4. Occupation
5. Oppression
Inspirational Characteristics.
1. Honour
2. Perseverance
3. Courage
4. Self Respect
5. Resilience
6. Determination
7. Trust and trust-worthiness
The differences between Leadership, Courage, Heroism and Fighting.
Discussion Topics
Bullying
What are the examples of Bullying in Fighting for Freedom?
Give examples of other types of Bullying you know of or have experienced.
Courage
What is Courage?
When and how did Nancy show Courage?
Give examples of other types of Courage and Courageous people.
Hero
What does it mean to be a Hero?
Is Nancy Wake a Hero? Who are some other Heroes you know?
Who are some female Heroes? How about Australian female heroes?
Leader
What does it mean to be a Leader?
Is Leadership different from Courage and Heroism?
Powerlessness
What does Powerlessness mean to you?
What are the examples of Powerlessness in Fighting For Freedom?
Who, in Australia and internationally, do you think is Powerless?
Nazi power
Discuss the Nazi rise to power and the laws they enacted.
What would you do if Australia began to enact these kinds of laws?
Fight
What are the different ways Nancy chose to Fight injustice?
Are there other ways you could think of to Fight injustice?
How do or would, you Fight injustice?
War
Discuss WWII
Do you know anyone who has been to war?
Illustrations
The illustrations were done by a local graffiti artist. Some are water colours, some are done using a graffiti technique called, ‘paste up’, on found objects.
Which illustrations are water colours, which are paste ups?
Is there any meaning for when water colours or paste ups are used?
Can you see any other medium used in the illustrations? (photographs)
Have you seen any graffiti art in the streets that you like?
Activities
Imagine you are Nancy Wake, you have just visited Germany in the early 1930s. Write an article for the newspaper on your experience and views.
Go to a bike track and see how long you can bike ride without a break.
Make up a code and a coded message for your class.
Write a speech, to be presented to the class explaining why you should be chosen as a class leader. Have a class discussion about how they voted and what characteristics they were looking for in their leader.
Create a graffiti art, using the paste up technique, on a found object.
Fighting For Freedom is the story of WWII spy, Nancy Wake. It introduces young readers to her life; from her birth in New Zealand, her family’s move to and life in Sydney, Australia, her desire to escape her upbringing, her travels to and life overseas, her involvement with the French and British resistance during WWII, and her life after the War.
Author Inspiration
I am writing a series of books on Inspirational Australian Women.
I write them for numerous reasons.
I write them as a source of alternate, wonderful role models for today’s youth. Role models that inspire beyond the family, social and traditional media environments that saturate our youth’s lives.
I write them for my 3 boys, that will one day be men. In order to create a society of equality and respect, we must teach and guide both boys and girls, by providing them with appropriate female messaging. The values that we teach them today will form the basis of their future selves. So I write my books to introduce women who lived lives following their hearts and passions. Women who were determined to find expression of their true selves and would accept nothing less.
I write these books to inspire our youth to trust and believe in themselves.
Fighting for Freedom is a story about honour, perseverance, courage, the joy of life and fighting for what you believe in, fighting for freedom and humanity.
What is more inspiring than that?
Educational Themes
World War II.
1. The War
2. The Resistance
3. Allies vs Axis, Australia’s involvement
4. Occupation
5. Oppression
Inspirational Characteristics.
1. Honour
2. Perseverance
3. Courage
4. Self Respect
5. Resilience
6. Determination
7. Trust and trust-worthiness
The differences between Leadership, Courage, Heroism and Fighting.
Discussion Topics
Bullying
What are the examples of Bullying in Fighting for Freedom?
Give examples of other types of Bullying you know of or have experienced.
Courage
What is Courage?
When and how did Nancy show Courage?
Give examples of other types of Courage and Courageous people.
Hero
What does it mean to be a Hero?
Is Nancy Wake a Hero? Who are some other Heroes you know?
Who are some female Heroes? How about Australian female heroes?
Leader
What does it mean to be a Leader?
Is Leadership different from Courage and Heroism?
Powerlessness
What does Powerlessness mean to you?
What are the examples of Powerlessness in Fighting For Freedom?
Who, in Australia and internationally, do you think is Powerless?
Nazi power
Discuss the Nazi rise to power and the laws they enacted.
What would you do if Australia began to enact these kinds of laws?
Fight
What are the different ways Nancy chose to Fight injustice?
Are there other ways you could think of to Fight injustice?
How do or would, you Fight injustice?
War
Discuss WWII
Do you know anyone who has been to war?
Illustrations
The illustrations were done by a local graffiti artist. Some are water colours, some are done using a graffiti technique called, ‘paste up’, on found objects.
Which illustrations are water colours, which are paste ups?
Is there any meaning for when water colours or paste ups are used?
Can you see any other medium used in the illustrations? (photographs)
Have you seen any graffiti art in the streets that you like?
Activities
Imagine you are Nancy Wake, you have just visited Germany in the early 1930s. Write an article for the newspaper on your experience and views.
Go to a bike track and see how long you can bike ride without a break.
Make up a code and a coded message for your class.
Write a speech, to be presented to the class explaining why you should be chosen as a class leader. Have a class discussion about how they voted and what characteristics they were looking for in their leader.
Create a graffiti art, using the paste up technique, on a found object.
