''The Bamboo Flute'' is a 1992 children's novel by

Garry Disher Garry Disher (born 15 August 1949, in Corporate Town of Burra, South Australia) is an Australian author of crime fiction and children's literature. Awards *The Canberra Times National Short Story Competition, 1986: winner for "Amateur Hour" ...

. Set during the depression, it is about a boy who is taught by a

swagman A swagman (also called a swaggie, sundowner or tussocker) was a transient labourer who travelled by foot from farm to farm carrying his belongings in a swag. The term originated in Australia in the 19th century and was later used in New Zeala ...

to make and play a

bamboo flute The bamboo flute, especially the bone flute, is one of the oldest musical instruments known. Examples of Paleolithic bone flutes have survived for more than 40,000 years, to be discovered by archaeologists. While the oldest flutes currently kno ...

Reception

In a review of ''The Bamboo Flute'', ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is av ...

'' wrote "The author's thesis—aesthetic beauty is a basic need, especially during times of extreme hardship—will not escape the notice of young audiences, and the frequent touches of local color make this a fine choice for reading aloud and for classes studying Australia." ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

'' described it as "a beautifully written novella" that is "Brief and easily read, a powerfully realized moment in Australia's past." ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' wrote "From its exquisite opening line ("There was once music in our lives, but I can feel it slipping away") to the moving finale, this elegantly delineated tale never strikes a false note." and "Disher's spare, evocative, emotionally charged coming-of-age story is reminiscent in style to the work of Paul Fleischman, but his voice is wholly his own, musical and haunting." ''The Bamboo Flute'' has also been reviewed by the ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with ...

'', and ''

The Horn Book Magazine ''The Horn Book Magazine'', founded in Boston in 1924, is the oldest bimonthly magazine dedicated to reviewing children's literature. It began as a "suggestive purchase list" prepared by Bertha Mahony Miller and Elinor Whitney Field, proprietres ...

''. It received the 1993 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers Award, and a 1994

International Board on Books for Young People The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is an international non-profit organization committed to bringing books and children together. The headquarters of the IBBY are located in Basel, Switzerland. IBBY history In 1952, Jella Lepm ...

(IBBY) Australia honour.IBBY Australia - Honour List
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References

External links

Library holdings of ''The Bamboo Flute''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bamboo Flute, The 1992 novels Australian children's novels Children's historical novels Novels about music Works set during the Great Depression CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award-winning works 1992 children's books Angus & Robertson books Children's books set in the 1930s Children's books set in Australia