Ming and Flo fight for the future by Jackie French

Jackie French can tell a story with incredible flair! In this tale there is time travel for school girl, Ming, who unexpectedly is given this capacity when she meets the mysterious Herstory. Herstory reminds Ming that History may have been told of the achievements of men and in the voice of men, but that did not really mean that women and girls did not make a difference. Ming gets the chance to travel into the life of Florence, embodying her as a Eurasian girl living in hardship in rural circumstances with limited rights prior to Federation. Her life mirrors Ming’s life only in their shared mixed heritage, but otherwise Ming is profoundly aware that Florence is powerless and her future is bleak. Can Ming make a difference and point Florence into a different pathway and change the world? Florence/Ming get the opportunity to move beyond rural life and meet an Aunt who is active in the Suffragette movement and keen for Australia to become a truly federated country and an identity in its own right. Florence/Ming also give opportunity to a poor orphan who might also change the world, or at least have her own world changed.

This is a powerful tale, with its insights into the stories of women from the past. But in Jackie French’s inimitable style there is humour woven through the insights. Discussions of clothing expectations, social mores and survival threats and problems for people in poverty are revealed alongside the power struggles, race issues, gender issues and expectations of the time before Federation. But always there is lightness and hope and Florence/Ming do want to make a difference.  The book ends with a return to the classroom, but Herstory sends Ming (and now her brother Tuan) off for another journey back in time. Another book is coming!  I can’t wait!

Themes: Women’s rights, Time travel, Suffragettes, Racism, Power, Pre-Federation history, Women's place in history.

Carolyn Hull