It's 1953, and South Africa is gripped by the harsh realities of Apartheid.
Just five years after the election of the right-wing Nationalist government, a wave of discriminatory laws has entrenched racial segregation and deepened social injustice.
Twelve-year-old Ada Courtnay lives a comfortable life with her parents, Jonah and Johelia, on their farm in rural South Africa. Their Cape Dutch home is nestled among cherry blossoms, apple trees and golden fields of corn. With maids to run her bath and bring her lunch, Ada is largely unaware of the privileges her white skin affords her.
But as her world expands, so does her awareness. Injustices begin to surface through Ada’s quiet observations and a growing curiosity that draws her into the lives of those around her—especially Nicky, the spirited, blue-eyed daughter of a farm worker.
Of mixed descent, Nicky faces daily harassment and indignities, particularly from Koos, a local policeman whose watchful presence is both unsettling and persistent.
Historical, Racism, War History, Apartheid South Africa
About The Author
Toby Hammerschlag grew up in South Africa, immigrating to Australia with her husband and two daughters in 1986.
She was a Special Education teacher for many years, specialising in literacy. While teaching, she would write passages and stories for her students when she couldn’t find an appropriate text for them.
After retiring from teaching, she did an oral history course with the chief oral history librarian at the State Library of NSW. She then interviewed people in order to preserve their family stories. Some of the characters in her recent novel have been inspired by these interviews.
Her first book, ‘The Rooftop’, was published in 2015. It is a story of friendship between four young students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. The book celebrates freedom and diversity. That book has been widely used in schools.
‘Looking Out and Beyond’ is her second novel. The research and writing of her novel has taken five years.
Toby and her husband live on the upper North Shore of Sydney. She is now a grandmother of five. She maintains her avid interest in netball. She loves theatre, ballet and is herself an avid reader.
