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  • Published: 4 May 1998
  • ISBN: 9780141300498
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $19.99

Deadly, Unna?




This gutsy novel, set in a small coastal town in South Australia is a rites-of-passage story about two boys confronting the depth of racism that exists all around them.

'Deadly, unna?' He was always saying that. All the Nungas did, but Dumby more than any of them. Dumby Red and Blacky don't have a lot in common. Dumby's the star of the footy team, he's got a killer smile and the knack with girls, and he's a Nunga. Blacky's a gutless wonder, needs braces, never knows what to say, and he's white.

But they're friends . . . and it could be deadly, unna?

  • Published: 4 May 1998
  • ISBN: 9780141300498
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $19.99

About the author

Phillip Gwynne

Phillip Gwynne's first novel Deadly Unna? was a literary hit and was made into the feature film Australian Rules for which Phillip won an AFI award. The sequel, Nukkin Ya, was also published to great acclaim.
He writes for a wide range of age groups from picture books such as Brothers From a Different Mother and junior fiction such as Jetty Rats and Michael in the Stuff Happens series, to the young adult novel Swerve, shortlisted for many awards amongst them the 2010 Prime Minister's Award and the Golden Inky.

Also by Phillip Gwynne

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Awards & recognition

WAYRBA Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  2000  •  Older Readers

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Teachers' notes