Author: trishatempleton

Beyond the Bookshelf: Why Diverse Stories Belong in Every School Library

In every corner of a school library, stories wait to be discovered. Stories that open minds, build empathy, and reflect the rich tapestry of human experience. But what happens when those stories are missing? When shelves lack the voices of different cultures, identities, and lived experiences?

As an educator and lifelong reader, I’ve come to believe that diverse books aren’t just nice to have in a collection. But rather, that they’re essential. They shape how students see themselves and others, and they help build inclusive communities where every child feels seen and valued.

Representation Matters

Research consistently shows that representation in literature has a profound impact on students’ self-esteem, academic engagement, and social development. When children see characters who look like them, speak their language, or share their cultural background, they feel validated. And when they read about lives different from their own, they develop empathy and understanding.

  • A study by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center found that in 2022, only 33% of children’s books featured characters from diverse backgrounds.
  • According to the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, inclusive education improves student outcomes and fosters respect among peers.
  • The “Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors” framework by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop emphasizes how books can reflect our own lives, offer insight into others’, and invite us into new worlds.

Growing up as a teen in Australia, I rarely saw characters in books who looked like me or came from my cultural background. It wasn’t until university that I encountered authors who spoke to my experience, and it was transformative. That moment of recognition made me realize how powerful literature can be in shaping identity and belonging.

One of the most vivid memories I have of feeling truly represented was during a recent trip to Mumbai. I walked into a bookstore and saw the latest issue of India Vogue. I was drawn to it because the cover featured models who looked like me, wore traditional fabrics with pride, and radiated a beauty that felt familiar. I stood there, overwhelmed. For the first time, I saw my heritage celebrated in a way that was bold, glamorous, and unapologetically authentic. That moment reminded me how powerful visibility can be, not just in fashion, but in every form of storytelling.

Now, as a teacher, I’m committed to curating a library space that reflects the diversity of our world. I’ve seen firsthand how students light up when they find a book that resonates with them. As one Year 9 student told me earlier this year when I handed him The White Tiger by Arvind Adiga, “This book feels like it was written for me.” That’s the magic we should strive for.

🏫 What should Teacher Librarians do?

To ensure every student has access to diverse stories, Teacher Librarians and schools must:

  • Regularly audit their library collections for representation across race, gender, ability, and culture.
  • Partner with local communities and authors to source authentic voices.
  • Provide professional development for educators on inclusive literature.
  • Encourage student-led book clubs and reading initiatives that celebrate diversity.

💬 Final Thoughts

Diverse books aren’t just about ticking boxes, they’re about opening hearts and minds. They help students navigate the world with compassion, curiosity, and confidence. When we fill our shelves with stories that reflect the full spectrum of human experience, we send a powerful message: You belong here. Your story matters.

Let’s go beyond the bookshelf—and make every library a gateway to understanding.

Grandparents, Migration & The First Third: A Love Letter Across Generations.

Life is made up of three parts: in The First Third, you’re embarrassed by your family; in the second, you make a family of your own; and in the end, you just embarrass the family you’ve made.

The First Third by Will Kostakis.

This year’s Grandparents’ Day hit differently. I now have only one of my four grandparents still with me. I was lucky—lucky to have strong, vivid memories of each of them, and even luckier that my children got to spend time with their great-grandparents. That kind of generational overlap feels rare and sacred, like a living bridge between past and present. And somehow, all of this came rushing back when I remembered reading The First Third by Will Kostakis—a book that, like a well-wrapped souvlaki, is stuffed with heart, humour, and a generous helping of cultural chaos.

It reminded me strongly of my maternal grandmother. A force to be reckoned with. Even now, in her wheelchair, she manages to orchestrate family life like a seasoned general—issuing orders with a raised eyebrow, summoning grandchildren with a single beckoning finger, and somehow getting everyone to do her bidding without ever raising her voice. Her presence is magnetic, her will unshakable, and her love—though sometimes disguised as criticism—is the glue that holds generations together.

📖 The First Third: A Souvlaki of Feels

Will Kostakis’ The First Third is a YA gem that manages to be hilarious, heartfelt, and culturally rich without ever feeling preachy. It follows Billy Tsiolkas, a Greek-Australian teen whose grandmother hands him a “bucket list” of family fixes to complete before she dies. No pressure, right?

Billy’s voice is sharp, self-deprecating, and painfully relatable. He’s caught between being a good grandson and a confused teenager, between Greek traditions and Aussie adolescence. The book is a masterclass in balancing humor with emotional depth—like when you laugh so hard you forget you’re crying.

Why It Resonates:

  • The family dynamics are loud, loving, and layered—just like mine.
  • The cultural identity struggle is real: trying to be two things at once and feeling like you’re failing at both.
  • The grandmother character is the emotional anchor, reminding us that love often comes wrapped in unsolicited advice and home-cooked meals.

👵 My Grandmother: The Matriarch in Motion

Reading Billy’s story brought back some very vivid memories of my own grandmother. My Nana didn’t hand me a bucket list, but she did hand me wisdom—sometimes in words, sometimes in silence, mostly in food. And she did it all with the commanding presence of someone who never needed to stand to be heard.

She’s the kind of woman who could host a feast, direct the seating arrangement, critique the seasoning, and still find time to remind you that your shirt needs ironing. Her strength isn’t just physical—it’s woven into the fabric of our family.

🌍 A Migration of Love

Unlike many who migrated in their youth, my grandmother moved overseas in her seventies. She gave up everything and everyone she knew—her home, her lifelong friends, her familiar rhythms—so she could continue supporting her children and grandchildren. It wasn’t a move for opportunity or adventure. It was a move for love.

What She Gave Up—and What She Gave Us:

  • Her homeland: Leaving behind the place where she’d spent most of her life.
  • Her community: Saying goodbye to friends she’d known for decades.
  • Her independence: Adapting to a new country, new customs, and a new pace of life.

And yet, she never stopped giving. She offered good advice (whether you asked for it or not), gentle admonishments (often not so gentle), and an abundance of love. Her presence became the emotional compass of our family—steady, wise, and always just a little bit intimidating.

She didn’t just migrate; she transformed our home into a sanctuary of tradition, resilience, and unconditional care.

💌 A Tribute Across Pages and Generations

The First Third isn’t just a book—it’s a tribute. To grandmothers who held families together with their bare hands. To those who sacrificed comfort for connection. To the messy, beautiful process of growing up between cultures and generations.

So this Grandparents’ Day, I’m not just remembering my grandmother—I’m honouring her. Through stories, through laughter, through the parts of her that live on in me.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s the final third: carrying forward the love that built us.

Book Lovers Day – August 9

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin

This weekend we celebrated an unusual day. A truly inclusive day, where anyone and everyone can join in the festivities. This day celebrates the peculiar joy of falling headfirst into a story, where dragons roam, detectives brood, and friendships bloom between pages. Book Lovers Day is a gentle reminder that quality literature doesn’t just entertain the mind, rather it transforms. It tickles the imagination, sharpens the mind, and teaches us to see the world through someone else’s eyes.

“Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.”

Malorie Blackman

Reading fiction is more than a leisure activity as it is a cognitive and emotional exercise that cultivates empathy, enhances wellbeing, and supports lifelong development. Classic novels such as 1984, The Handmaid’s Tale, Rebecca, and The Three Musketeers exemplify how literature invites readers to inhabit diverse perspectives, a process closely linked to the development of Theory of Mind (ToM).

ToM refers to the ability to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and emotions different from one’s own. Research shows a reciprocal relationship between ToM and reading comprehension: engaging with narrative fiction improves our capacity to infer characters’ mental states, which in turn strengthens our understanding of complex texts. This cognitive skill is foundational not only to reading but to social interaction and emotional intelligence.

Moreover, (and this is the part I absolutely love!), reading fiction contributes to stress reduction and emotional regulation. Works like Life of Pi, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Gone with the Wind and Wind in the Willows offer immersive experiences that promote relaxation and introspection. As noted in The Conversation, reading also fosters curiosity—a trait linked to career success and psychological resilience.

In sum, literature nurtures the body, mind, and spirit. On Book Lovers Day, we celebrate fiction not just as art, but as a vital tool for cultivating empathy, enhancing wellbeing, and deepening our understanding of others.

Five nights at Freddy – Fazbear frights [Graphic Novel collection].

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the joy of being chased by animatronic nightmares that look like they’ve been assembled by a slightly deranged electrician, this graphic novel is for you. Five Nights at Freddy Fazbear Frights serves up exactly what the title promises: frights, chaos, and enough creepy robots to make your childhood memories of birthday parties instantly terrifying.

The artwork is a delightful mix of “kid-friendly” cartoon and “why is that bear staring at me like it wants to eat my soul?” The story jumps between various creepy tales that all somehow revolve around the absolute worst animatronics you could imagine — and just when you think it’s safe to close the book, boom! More jump scares, more eerie grins, and more malfunctioning metal monsters lurking in the shadows.

If you enjoy your horror with a side of cheesy dialogue and characters making questionable life choices (seriously, who lets these animatronics roam free?), this graphic novel will keep you entertained—and maybe a little paranoid—until the very last page.

Final verdict:
Five nights of fun, fear, and a fresh appreciation for why animatronics should probably be banned from birthday parties forever. I would also not recommend this book for anyone who is over the age of 15! Especially not to 40+ year old women who managed to get a very twitchy eye from reading this series.

Adults

Rating: 1 out of 5.

Teens

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The Dressmaker of Yarrandarrah Prison by Meredith Jaffe

The Dressmaker of Yarrandarrah Prison is a gentle, moving novel about unlikely friendships, second chances, and the quiet power of redemption. At the center of the story is Derek—a prisoner who surprises everyone, including himself, when he volunteers to sew a wedding dress for his estranged daughter’s big day.

What unfolds is more than just the tale of a man learning to sew. It’s about rebuilding trust, finding purpose in the most unexpected places, and the way small acts of kindness can mend even the deepest wounds. The characters—both inside and outside the prison walls—are beautifully drawn, each with their own burdens and hopes, all stitched together into a story that is equal parts funny, sad, and uplifting.

Meredith Jaffe writes with compassion and warmth, turning a seemingly odd premise into something deeply human. This book reminds us that no one is ever beyond forgiveness, and that healing often begins in the most unlikely places.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Book Review – The Railway Man’s wife by Ashley Hay

Ashley Hay’s The Railwayman’s Wife is a beautifully written, contemplative novel set in a small Australian coastal town in the aftermath of World War II. The story follows Anikka Lachlan, a librarian grappling with the sudden loss of her husband in a railway accident—a personal tragedy that echoes the broader national grief still hanging over Australia after the war.

Hay uses the quiet town of Thirroul as a microcosm of post-WWII Australia, capturing a society caught between mourning and rebuilding. Characters wrestle with physical and emotional scars, survivor’s guilt, and the search for meaning in a world forever altered by conflict. Through Ana’s growing connection to literature and community, the novel reflects how ordinary people coped with extraordinary loss during this time.

Heart warming, poignant, delicate, elegiac, and steeped in place, The Railwayman’s Wife is not just a story of personal grief, love and hope, but also, a portrait of a country learning to heal—one quiet moment at a time.

Book review – Upside down Inside out by Monica McInerney

In Upside Down Inside Out, Monica McInerney gives us the story of Eva Kennedy—a talented artist who, naturally, is stuck in a dead-end admin job and hiding from her past. When a last-minute trip to Dublin drops into her lap (as life-changing international trips so often do), she jumps at the chance to escape her carefully controlled life in Melbourne.

What follows is a whirlwind of mistaken identity, quirky new friendships, and just the right amount of romantic confusion. McInerney has a knack for blending humor and heart, and while some twists are more predictable than surprising, the charm of the characters—and the lush Irish setting—make it an enjoyable ride.

If you’ve ever wanted to abandon your job, jet off to another country, and magically stumble into self-discovery, this one’s for you.

It’s part escapist fantasy, part emotional reset, with a wink to the idea that maybe, just maybe, the universe knows what it’s doing.

Book review – Watermelon by Marion Keys

 Watermelon was the first book published by Marian Keys. To be honest, it is not my favourite book of hers as it is stilted and very cliche.  

However, it is a lovely, light hearted romance set in Ireland. Very similar to Maeve Binchy, Keyes writes about how a husband leaves his wife after the birth of their baby. The main character Claire does make you want to slap her silly, but she does eventually realise how toxic her marriage was and moves forward in her life.  

The book is predictable and occasionally nauseating but I did like how it highlights that women are gaslit in relationships and often around childbirth and motherhood.

For those interested – Last Chance Saloon is my favourite #mariankeyes novel.

Reading for Meaning: Strategies to Enhance Literacy

The use of complex texts in education is crucial, as relying solely on traditional textbooks can hinder diverse learners due to varying literacy levels. Implementing text sets alongside explicitly taught reading strategies fosters better comprehension and learning outcomes by providing multiple access points for students to engage with the material effectively.

Reading between the lines – Supporting literacy text sets and explicit instruction.

The use of complex texts for learning is a well-established pedagogical practice, and therefore, the selection of appropriate texts is an integral part of teaching and learning.  Traditionally, textbooks and single origin resources have been a staple in classrooms, but the use of a singular resource can be problematic in an environment with significant variation in literacy levels and background knowledge (Cervetti & Hiebert, 2019; Lupo et al., 2019).  This concern is because disparity between various students’ abilities can limit learning outcomes because access is an issue.  As a constructivist approach to learning and an extension of literary learning, text sets are an effective pedagogical practice that supports student learning and develops literacy capacity in a diverse classroom.  The efficacy of this classroom practice can be further supported with explicitly taught ‘reading for meaning’ strategies as it increases the number of access points students have to the text and therefore, positively impacts literacy, reading comprehension and learning outcomes.

Read more of what my presentation was centred on at the National Education Summit (Brisbane).

https://www.nationaleducationsummit.com.au/nes-blog/reading-between-the-lines
Read more: Reading for Meaning: Strategies to Enhance Literacy

Disciplinary Literacy

Disciplinary Literacy is rarely discussed in schools, and this can lead to a significant impact to learning outcomes. The skills required to read a text in Chemistry are very different than the ones required in Literature. However, most schools pigeonhole literacy into the purview of the English Department.

Shanahan & Shanahan (2012) advocate for the explicit instruction of disciplinary literacy across middle and high school classrooms. This approach clearly acknowledges the importance it is the have the ability to ‘create, communicate and use knowledge’ appropriately within each discipline.

Check this link out for more information on how to improve literacy practice in schools. https://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/upload/publications/50/pdf/Shanahan-What-is-Disciplinary-Literacy.pdf