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Prayer for the Twenty-First Century
May the road be free for the journey, May it lead where it promised it would... These opening words lead to a compelling text that speaks to both young and old, expressing the deeply held hopes and fears that we all recognize. Illustrated with paintings, photographs, and collages, this call from the heart contains a message we all wish for our loved ones. This book, once read, will always be remembered. Ages 11+.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1998
84 people want to read
About the author
John Marsden
122books1,936followersThere is more than one author with this name in the database, see f.e. John Marsden.
John Marsden was an Australian writer and school principal. He wrote more than 40 books in his career and his books have been translated into many languages. He was especially known for his young adult novel Tomorrow, When the War Began, which began a series of seven books.
Marsden began writing for children while working as a teacher, and had his first book, So Much to Tell You, published in 1987. In 2006, he started an alternative school, Candlebark School, and reduced his writing to focus on teaching and running the school. In 2016, he opened the arts-focused secondary school, Alice Miller School. Both schools are in the Macedon Ranges.
John Marsden was an Australian writer and school principal. He wrote more than 40 books in his career and his books have been translated into many languages. He was especially known for his young adult novel Tomorrow, When the War Began, which began a series of seven books.
Marsden began writing for children while working as a teacher, and had his first book, So Much to Tell You, published in 1987. In 2006, he started an alternative school, Candlebark School, and reduced his writing to focus on teaching and running the school. In 2016, he opened the arts-focused secondary school, Alice Miller School. Both schools are in the Macedon Ranges.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 30, 2016
Beautiful...and beautifully presented.
I plan to gift this to a special young person I know, hopefully to be passed on..and on...
August 15, 2018
Excellent book to using for teaching in social studies.
October 6, 2021
I used this as a resource with our scout group to meet the requirements relating to spirituality, knowing that they had differing faiths and quite a few of them were agnostic or atheist.
Since then, the scout promise has been changed as Scouts Australia recognised that it was out of step with many of the scouts' beliefs - there are now two versions, and the spiritual elements of the program have changed. The Scouts Australia Policy and Rules states that “Spirituality refers to the feelings or beliefs of a person regarding their purpose in life, connection to others and place in the world around them. These spiritual feelings or beliefs may change as a person develops and guide their actions throughout their life.�
Since then, the scout promise has been changed as Scouts Australia recognised that it was out of step with many of the scouts' beliefs - there are now two versions, and the spiritual elements of the program have changed. The Scouts Australia Policy and Rules states that “Spirituality refers to the feelings or beliefs of a person regarding their purpose in life, connection to others and place in the world around them. These spiritual feelings or beliefs may change as a person develops and guide their actions throughout their life.�
June 24, 2015
An utterly beautiful book. The poem alone would be worth buying it for, but Marsden's heart-wrenching text is accompanied by stunning images collected from all walks of life and corners of the globe.
Whoever edited this book is a genius: the choice of images is wonderfully diverse, but each one is the perfect counterpoint to the line of the poem that it accompanies. I've owned this since I was seventeen - 12 years now - and I could still pore over it for hours. Particular favourites of mine are "May gardens be wild, like jungles..." and "May the solitary scientists, working...".
The poem itself is like much of John Marsden's work: eloquent, deceptively simple, and capable of delivering a swift emotional punch to the heart and gut. Although it's titled Prayer for the 21st Century and was released in the run up to the millennium (1997, I believe) it's just as apt fifteen years later. Honest emotion never gets dated, I guess.
I seem to remember the book as being quite expensive (although most likely you can now find a used copy on eBay or elsewhere) but definitely worth the price. This would make not only a beautiful, but also a readable addition to anyone's coffee table.
Whoever edited this book is a genius: the choice of images is wonderfully diverse, but each one is the perfect counterpoint to the line of the poem that it accompanies. I've owned this since I was seventeen - 12 years now - and I could still pore over it for hours. Particular favourites of mine are "May gardens be wild, like jungles..." and "May the solitary scientists, working...".
The poem itself is like much of John Marsden's work: eloquent, deceptively simple, and capable of delivering a swift emotional punch to the heart and gut. Although it's titled Prayer for the 21st Century and was released in the run up to the millennium (1997, I believe) it's just as apt fifteen years later. Honest emotion never gets dated, I guess.
I seem to remember the book as being quite expensive (although most likely you can now find a used copy on eBay or elsewhere) but definitely worth the price. This would make not only a beautiful, but also a readable addition to anyone's coffee table.
July 28, 2008
lovely.
September 15, 2008
This is a children's book, but it's not only for children. A great message of hope with beautiful and sometimes shocking illustrations.
May 13, 2011
just gorgeous.
October 7, 2012
A brilliant poem with wonderful presentation
February 1, 2020
Loved this as a teenager- 20 or so years ago- and loved rereading it in the 30s. Still brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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