The Crossing: Michael’s Story

In 1915, thousands of New Zealand soldiers marched from the southern Wairarapa across the Rimutaka Range to Wellington to board ships taking them to fight in World War One. A century later, writer and illustrator Michelle O'Connell joined a re-enactment of the march. Marching were relatives of the young men who had marched to war. Michelle’s book is the story of her great-grandfather Albert and her young son, Michael. As with her previous book, ‘Leaving for the Front’, Michelle O'Connell has written and illustrated ‘The Crossing’ in a way that commemorates the soldiers while providing useful lessons for children on the sacrifice of their forebears. A ‘Notes for the Teacher’ section includes useful teaching points for primary aged children.