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All Of Us Together
As the Great Depression of the 1930s worsens the O’Casey family finds itself facing an uphill battle to survive. Like many fathers of that time, John O’Casey leaves his family to go in search of work. Back at home, his wife Margaret has to raise their three young children. Daniel, the eldest child, takes it on himself to try to raise money for the family. He wants to be ‘the man’ but that’s close to impossible for someone who’s just 12-years-old. His best friend is Bede Holland, a boy who has no trouble bending the rules, or using his fists when he feels he has to. Daniel has a much more placid nature, yet he is determined not to appear weak in Bede’s eyes. He doesn’t want to lose him as a friend, because he hasn’t got any others. As he says, ‘some kids aren’t good at making them’.
Apart from Bede, Daniel’s main confidant is his sister, Adelaide. Even though she is nearly two years his junior, she is often the voice of reason Daniel needs to hear when he is faced with a moral dilemma. There is much good-natured teasing and playful banter between them, as there is with the youngest child, Lydia, who has just started school. Despite the difficult circumstances the O’Casey’s sometimes encounter, they remain stoic and face their problems head- ‘That’s how life is, their mother says. ‘We can’t run away. As long as we all stand together, we can get through anything’.
Apart from Bede, Daniel’s main confidant is his sister, Adelaide. Even though she is nearly two years his junior, she is often the voice of reason Daniel needs to hear when he is faced with a moral dilemma. There is much good-natured teasing and playful banter between them, as there is with the youngest child, Lydia, who has just started school. Despite the difficult circumstances the O’Casey’s sometimes encounter, they remain stoic and face their problems head- ‘That’s how life is, their mother says. ‘We can’t run away. As long as we all stand together, we can get through anything’.
160 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2016
About the author
Bill Condon
98 books28 followersBill Condon's young adult novels, Dogs (2001) and No Worries (2005) were Honour Books in the CBCA (Australian Book of the Year) Awards. No Worries was also short-listed for the Ethel Turner Prize in the 2005 NSW Premier's Literary Awards. In 2010 Bill's Confessions Of A Liar, Thief And Failed Sex God won the inaugural Prime Minister's Literary Award for young adult fiction. A Straight LineTo My Heart is Bill's most recent young adult novel. In 2012 it was a CBCA Honour Book, and was short-listed in the Prime Minister's Lterary Awards and the Ethel Turner Prize.
Before devoting himself to novels, Bill had a long and successful career as a writer of short stories, plays and poetry for young people. His work encompasses many genres and he has more than one hundred titles to his credit. He lives on the south coast of New South Wales with his wife, the well known children's author Di (Dianne) Bates.
Bill's latest book is the junior novel, The Simple Things, published in 2014.
Before devoting himself to novels, Bill had a long and successful career as a writer of short stories, plays and poetry for young people. His work encompasses many genres and he has more than one hundred titles to his credit. He lives on the south coast of New South Wales with his wife, the well known children's author Di (Dianne) Bates.
Bill's latest book is the junior novel, The Simple Things, published in 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 12, 2023
Daniel is thrust into caring for his two younger sisters and ‘being good’ for his mother when his father must leave to try and find work. The family misses their father and looks forward to his letters and the small amount of money he sometimes sends. Things go from bad to worse when Daniel’s father is killed at work, and the family must move. How do they survive?
I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of life during the 1930s depression in Australia.
Recommended for readers aged 8-12 years
I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of life during the 1930s depression in Australia.
Recommended for readers aged 8-12 years
January 3, 2021
Great young reader demonstrating family life during the Great Depression in Australia. Shows the values and tough decisions that were made during the time through the eyes of a young boy.
April 12, 2021
I received a free copy of this book as a gift, with no expectation of posting a review - but I loved it so much that I had to post:
I found this book un-put-down-able. A gentle yet gutsy story that pulls no punches about how tough things were for families during The Great Depression. Told with insight and sensitivity and sweetened with humour, it has so much to say to children and adults today about cornerstone virtues like honesty, loyalty, respect, compassion and integrity.
Desperate to help after his dad leaves the family to seek work, 12 year old school-boy Daniel O'Casey wrestles with the weight of responsibility that comes with being left with his mother and two younger sisters. He soon finds out that life throws up many challenges and moral dilemmas as he is embroiled in a tricky friendship that could have dangerous consequences.
My heart was in my mouth from the first page - Condon knows how to use an emotional hook - and one that features a dog is sure to be a winner with children in this 8-12 age group. Despite being set 80 years ago, the characters have an enduring boy-next-door feel: with cheeky larrikins and bully-boys alike trying to navigate the struggles that life throws at them and work out what it means to grow up and take their place within their family and broader society. Condon has an uncanny ability to write authentic characters and show their vulnerabilities, even those that are harder to love. Realistically there is no happily ever after, but what Condon does offer is hope.
Full of wisdom like :'No one's brave when they start off. They grow into it.' This is a beautiful book and one that slid effortlessly into my heart where the whispers of the characters have stayed with me. Sure to be a winner with boys and girls alike.
PS no dog dies in the making of this story (unless you count the fait accompli on the first page.)
This review also posted on Books In Stock website.
I found this book un-put-down-able. A gentle yet gutsy story that pulls no punches about how tough things were for families during The Great Depression. Told with insight and sensitivity and sweetened with humour, it has so much to say to children and adults today about cornerstone virtues like honesty, loyalty, respect, compassion and integrity.
Desperate to help after his dad leaves the family to seek work, 12 year old school-boy Daniel O'Casey wrestles with the weight of responsibility that comes with being left with his mother and two younger sisters. He soon finds out that life throws up many challenges and moral dilemmas as he is embroiled in a tricky friendship that could have dangerous consequences.
My heart was in my mouth from the first page - Condon knows how to use an emotional hook - and one that features a dog is sure to be a winner with children in this 8-12 age group. Despite being set 80 years ago, the characters have an enduring boy-next-door feel: with cheeky larrikins and bully-boys alike trying to navigate the struggles that life throws at them and work out what it means to grow up and take their place within their family and broader society. Condon has an uncanny ability to write authentic characters and show their vulnerabilities, even those that are harder to love. Realistically there is no happily ever after, but what Condon does offer is hope.
Full of wisdom like :'No one's brave when they start off. They grow into it.' This is a beautiful book and one that slid effortlessly into my heart where the whispers of the characters have stayed with me. Sure to be a winner with boys and girls alike.
PS no dog dies in the making of this story (unless you count the fait accompli on the first page.)
This review also posted on Books In Stock website.
February 16, 2017
Have just finished All of Us Together, by Bill Condon, which I won as a prize.
It is so beautifully written! Made me cry and laugh. It is such a lovely story – but I sure hope that there is more, as I want to be 100% certain that the family survives the Great Depression.
Such a brilliant old-Australian book. I absolutely loved it.
It is so beautifully written! Made me cry and laugh. It is such a lovely story – but I sure hope that there is more, as I want to be 100% certain that the family survives the Great Depression.
Such a brilliant old-Australian book. I absolutely loved it.
November 11, 2016
Bill Condon has written a compelling story about a boy growing up during the Great Depression, sure to appeal to readers aged 8-12. Narrator, Daniel, is funny, sensitive and likeable, making it easy for readers to empathise with him. Condon gives all of his characters wonderful depth and clarity - even Bede, the boy who leads Daniel astray, commands a little sympathy from the reader for his actions!
Years ago, I chatted to some teachers who were having a difficult time teaching their primary school students about the Great Depression. They felt that existing novels, at the time, were too rich and difficult for their average student to understand. They wanted a novel set during this time that would really speak to young readers and engage them. What's more, a novel that their students would enjoy. I certainly hope, wherever they are, that they find this book!
Years ago, I chatted to some teachers who were having a difficult time teaching their primary school students about the Great Depression. They felt that existing novels, at the time, were too rich and difficult for their average student to understand. They wanted a novel set during this time that would really speak to young readers and engage them. What's more, a novel that their students would enjoy. I certainly hope, wherever they are, that they find this book!
November 8, 2016
Both a book about a family and historical fiction, All of Us Together is a heart-warming story, full of humour, challenges and love. It brings young readers into a time period that they have likely only experienced through history class. This gorgeously written story centres around the resilience of Australians and the strength of family that is sure to captivate readers aged 8 – 12.
Originally reviewed for Reading Time. Full review can be found here - http://readingtime.com.au/all-of-us-t....
Originally reviewed for Reading Time. Full review can be found here - http://readingtime.com.au/all-of-us-t....
October 28, 2016
Written with heart and humour, Condon tackles a period of time and level of national woe that many young readers will be unfamiliar with in a sensitive and fetching way. Stay tuned for my full review and a glimpse behind the scenes with Bill at Dim's Write Stuff blog, soon. http://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com.au...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews