Book List
If you are interested in further information about asylum seekers, refugees and related topics, here are some books you may be interested in reading.
Many readings are also available on-line via our articles, speeches and reports page. If you have suggestions for the book list please email .
Questions from the Asylum: An analysis of Australiašs asylum and detention issues
By Susan Connelly
Order from: Susan Connelly, PO Box 299 St Marys NSW 1790 or Fax: 02 9623 1573
My Journey Behind the Veil: Conversations with Muslim Women
By Kay Rasool
Publisher: Lothian, Melbourne, 2002.
ISBN: 0 7344 0363 1
When Kay Rasool came to Australia from India in 1994, she soon realised that many things which were familiar and everyday to her were attributed with strange meanings. Kay recognised that the communication gap which existed between Muslims and non-Muslims was potentially dangerous. It was this realisation that set her off on her path to encourage greater understanding of Muslims by non-Muslims.
My forbidden face: growing up under the Taliban. A young woman's story
By Latifa with the collaboration of Chekeha Hachemi, translated by Lisa Appignanesi.
Publisher: Virago, London, 2002.
ISBN: 1860499562
Face the facts : some questions and answers about immigration, refugees and indigenous affairs
Produced by the Acting Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner.
Publisher: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, 2001.
ISBN: 0642269750
Mostly regarding indigenous issues, but includes a few succinct pages on refugees and asylum seekers.
Tales from a suitcase : the Afghan experience
By Will Davies & Andrea Bosco
Publisher: Lothian, South Melbourne, 2002.
ISBN: 0734404484
Based on the SBS television series- very informative, varied, helpful for understanding.
The Worst of Woomera
"The Worst of Woomera" chronicles attempts by the Refugee Embassy to establish contact between detainees and members of the general public, in an effort to overcome misconceptions, and to put a human face to the people housed there. The text, interspersed with personal profiles, covers events from the Good Friday breakout earlier this year, to the hunger-strike breakout on June 28th.
This is the first such collection of case histories to be made available to the public. Names have been changed, but details about individual detainees are genuine. Lawyers representing some of the people in the book are fearful that the Department of Immigration may give prejudicial treatment to people featured in the book, as punishment for letting their stories be heard. However, because most of these people have exhausted all appeals anyway, they have given permission for their stories to be told.
48-page booklet.
To order copies please contact Dave McKay.
Email: Phone: (02) 4954-2590 Mobile: 0422-142-702
The Truth Hurts
"The Truth Hurts" is a booklet addressing some of the myths and misconceptions currently circulating about asylum seekers. Each myth is illustrated with a case history, and it is written in plain English.
Copies are available for $3 per booklet from the Centre for Refugee Research (CRR) at the University of New South Wales. For information on ordering copies of the booklet call the centre on (02) 9385 1961 or send an email to .
Future Seekers: Refugees and the Law in Australia.
Crock, Mary and Ben Saul.
Publisher: Federation Press, NSW, 2002.
Borderline: Australia's treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.
Mares, Peter.
Publisher: UNSW Press, Sydney, 2001.
"The Cook and the Bikie". in Not for Publication,
Masters, Chris.
Publisher: ABC Books, Sydney 2002.
Asylum Seekers: Australia's response to refugees.
McMaster, Don.
Publisher: Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 2001.
Boy Overboard
By Morris Gleitzman
Children's Paperback, 144 pages
Publisher: Puffin, August 2002
ISBN 0141308389
A story of adventure, ball control and hope. Jamal and Bibi have a dream. To lead Australia to soccer glory in the next World Cup. But first they must face landmines, pirates, storms and assassins. Can Jamal and his family survive their incredible journey and get to Australia? Sometimes, to save the people you love, you have to go overboard.
Order on-line via http://www.penguin.com.au/puffin/
Parvana: A Young Girl's Fight To Survive In Afghanistan
By Deborah Ellis
Publisher : Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, N.S.W, 2002.
ISBN: 1865086940
Alternative title "The Breadwinner" Oxford University Press
Read a review
The Cage House
A Video by Writer/Director Angela van Boxtel
The Cage House is a modern fairytale set in an Australian refugee detention centre. Ali, a seven-year-old Iraqi boy, escapes into his imagination to deal with the hard reality of being locked up and deprived from his freedom.
