The Game of the Goose

The Game of the Goose follows eleven-year-old Claudia in suburban Australia during World War II. She receives a mysterious board game as a birthday gift from her grandmother - an old European game with painted squares depicting scenes of both danger and fortune. As Claudia plays the game with her younger brother James and their neighbor Blackie, strange connections emerge between the game and real life. The children navigate the rules while dealing with wartime uncertainty, family tensions, and the complexities of growing up. The narrative moves back and forth between scenes of gameplay and daily life in 1940s Australia, where shortages, blackouts, and distant war news shape the children's experiences. Claudia must also confront changes in her friendships and family relationships during this pivotal time. Through the lens of a traditional board game, the story explores themes of fate versus choice, the blurred lines between imagination and reality, and how children process the adult world in times of upheaval.

Readers describe The Game of the Goose as an atmospheric mystery for young readers exploring themes of memory, imagination and childhood friendships. What readers liked: - The dreamlike, surreal mood - Complex handling of reality vs fantasy - Layered meanings that reward rereading - Strong portrayal of an 11-year-old's perspective - The creative use of the goose game as a metaphor What readers disliked: - Open-ended conclusion leaves questions unanswered - Some found the pacing slow - Young readers sometimes struggled with abstract elements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (60 ratings) Amazon AU: 4/5 (3 ratings) Sample reviews: "Beautiful but unsettling story that captures childhood uncertainties." - Goodreads reviewer "The ambiguous ending might frustrate literal-minded readers but perfectly suits the dreamy narrative." - Australian Book Review "Too vague and experimental for my taste, though the writing is lovely." - Amazon AU reviewer

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🎲 The Game of the Goose is a real European board game dating back to the 16th century, featuring a spiral track with spaces that could help or harm players as they race to the end. 📚 Author Ursula Dubosarsky was named the Australian Children's Laureate for 2020-2021, recognizing her significant contribution to children's literature. 🏫 The book is set in 1943 at a girls' boarding school in Sydney during World War II, reflecting the author's deep interest in exploring wartime experiences through children's perspectives. 🎯 The story weaves together multiple narrative threads, including a mysterious disappearance, the complexities of friendship, and the symbolic journey represented by the ancient board game. 🏆 Ursula Dubosarsky has won multiple awards including nine Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Awards, and has written over 60 books for children and young adults.