The Book
In My Blood It Runs (2023)
This is the story of Dujuan Hoosan, a 10-year-old Arrernte and Garawa boy. A wise, funny, cheeky boy. A healer.
Out bush, his healing power (Ngangkere) is calm and straight. But in town, it’s wobbly and wild, like a snake. He’s in trouble at school, and with the police. He thinks there’s something wrong with him. Dujuan’s family knows what to do: they send him to live out bush, to learn the ways of the old people, and the history that runs straight into all Aboriginal people. So he can be proud of himself.
This book was written over the course of a year, adapted from the film, with the support of the In My Blood It Runs film team, in particular Maya Newell and Rachel Naninaaq Edwardson. Dujuan, Carol and Margie participated in workshops studying children’s literature, writing styles, illustration and then landed on this approach written from Dujuan’s own voice.
Written by Dujuan Hoosan, Margaret Anderson and Carol Turner
Illustrated by Blak Douglas, winner of the Archibald Prize 2022
Published by Pan McMillan Australia
Book available from any good bookstore and Pan Macmillan.
Buy from Pan Macmillan
Schools Resource
This resource was written by the film team in partnership with Reconciliation Australia: Narragunawali and is targeted towards those who educate or read with young people aged 8–14.
It has been designed as a series of prompts to guide discussion as you read. These prompts can support young people’s understanding of the text by helping them to explore and unpack meanings (connection to text) and build empathy with the character’s experiences (connection to self). It is important for readers to find ways to connect with Dujuan and his experiences even if their experiences are different. Reconciliation happens when we connect our similarities and celebrate our differences.
