Shakespeare in the Orchard Book Chat

All about the upper-middle grade (for readers aged 10–13) historical fiction WWI homefront novel, inspired by the true history of "enemy aliens" from the German and Austro-Hungarian Empire who were imprisoned in Australia throughout the First World War. Danielle can discuss: 

• The true history of "enemy aliens" – migrants and Australians whose background was used against them - imprisoned for the first (but not the last) time with the War Precautions Act of 1914, especially focused on the history of those imprisoned at the Langwarrin Military Camp on the Mornington Peninsula, in Victoria which is where Danielle also currently lives. 
• The true story of how those prisoners of war turned to art, and theatre especially to stave off boredom and retain their humanity in the face of such abysmal treatment - in the book there's a focus on the lasting legacy of Shakespeare across time, cultures and countries to remind us of our shared humanity. 
• A focus on Art vs. Propaganda as explored in the book, and the differences between the two to elicit specific emotions and actions 
• Militarisation of the nation, and especially youth – discussion of the Universal Service Scheme, which decreed all young men in Australia, from ages 12–26 had to undertake required compulsory military training. Getting today's children to consider what an impact this would have had on the populace before, during, and after World War One. 
• Being inspired by the places and history of our home and heart – Danielle is an author who is very influenced by her home on the Mornington Peninsula, and just as with her debut novel The Year the Maps Changed, Shakespeare in the Orchard is borne from her research of the place she has grown up and her fascination with the past to shape us.