Tibby's Leaf, by Ursula Dubosarsky

The First World War starts in 1914 and Tibby's quiet life in an Australian city cannot escape the war's effect. Her big brother Clarence works at a city foundry; he harbours a secret wish to travel the world and see the countries that fire his imagination. For the moment, he can only satisfy that wish by creating elaborate stories for Tibby, based upon history such as the Vikings, the ancient Romans, and the passion and upheaval of the French Revolution. He patiently plays games with his sister in the bush behind their home. Tibby imagines that the bush is inhabited by tiny bush fairies that leave messages in fairy writing on gum leaves.

The city is feeling the effects of the war, as its young men enlist in the armed forces and start to leave for the distant fighting. Clarence sees enlisting as his chance to travel overseas and perhaps finally see the places that have captivated him and filled his mind with many exciting images. His parents are concerned that he wants to join up; however, they know that many other local young men have gone off to fight. They struggle with the conflict of wanting their son to stay at home while not wanting to have him seen as a coward by not enlisting. This conflict causes tension at home and Clarence is angry that his plan to enlist is meeting resistance.

Eventually the situation changes and Clarence's parents relent. Tibby is deeply upset that her one and only big brother is going off to fight in a war that she doesn't understand. Who will join her in the games that help to fill the afternoons and bring some escape from the reality of life? Who will be there to investigate with her the mystery of the bush fairies? It is not long after Clarence's departure that Tibby receives a postcard that reassures her and helps to ease her worries.

• Why was Tibby's brother Clarence so inspired by historical periods such as the Romans, Vikings and the French Revolution? Why did he keep secret his desire to travel the world?
• Clarence had entertained Tibby with games and stories, however he was changing and becoming much less interested in entertaining his little sister. What might have caused this change in Clarence?
• Tibby thinks she sees a bush fairy while playing hide and seek with Clarence. What do you think she actually saw?
• Men stood on street corners in Tibby's neighbourhood handing out leaflets with information on the war. What sort of information would have been on the leaflets?
• Clarence angrily leaves the dinner table one night and goes to the room he shares with Tibby. Her mum asks Tibby to talk to Clarence and 'get some sense into him'. Why would Tibby's mum ask her to do that, rather than talk to Clarence herself?
• While talking to Clarence in their room, Tibby feels the gumleaf in her pocket. Touching it makes her feel calmer. Why would it have this effect upon her?
• After Clarence goes to war, Tibby's father would nod slowly if people asked him if he was proud of his son. How do you think he really felt about what Clarence had done?