Imagine if we, everyday Australians, became refugees? Hard to conceive of here, in our safe, cocooned, distant land. We may have to worry about droughts and rising petrol prices, but being displaced – our lives threatened and our dreams shattered –is not something any of us consider could happen.

Home and Away will rip your complacency to shreds and make many squirm at their less-than-humane consideration of detained people. John Marsden and Matt Ottley have produced a picture book about the disintegration of one happy, loving family due to war that is so powerful, so moving and so heartbreaking that every Australian should be encouraged to read it, rather than every prospective immigrant having to answer questions about Don Bradman! I defy anyone who reads it not to feel as though they have been punched in the guts. For ages 11 and up.