My Father is a Curlew

By Samantha Trayhurn

Set against a backdrop of salt flats and shifting skies, this haunting and lyrical coming of age tale explores the edges of science and folklore, grief and belonging, and the enduring pull of family.

When Wallace McKenzie gets the call that her father has passed-her world tilts. Drawn to the wild beauty of semi-tropical Russell Island, Queensland, and the possibility of uncovering her roots, Wallace finds herself in a landscape shaped by wind, water, and secrets.

As she delves into her father's past with her father's long-time partner Oji, she uncovers threads of heritage tangled with old stories, science, and the rhythms of a place where magic stirs alongside the mangroves. Friendships bloom in unexpected places, and the eerie presence of the curlews guide her deeper into mystery.

But when Wallace notices strange behaviour among the birds, questions begin to surface. Is her father truly dead? Or has the truth been buried like driftwood by the tide?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1923435108
• ISBN13: 9781923435100
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Interactive Press
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 16 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 11 to Postsecondary