One Word by Melissa-Jane Fogarty

A poignant and moving story about reclaiming language and the enduring power of love, told though the eyes of a little girl on a quest to learn her grandfather’s hidden first language.

When Myra stays with Pop it feels like home.

Myra loves Pop’s house. She loves the old photos on the walls, the clutter down the hall and the time they spend together.

One day, when Myra overhears Pop speaking a different language on the phone, she asks if he will teach her just one word. But Pop refuses.

As Myra discovers Pop’s painful past, they’ll take steps towards reclaiming what was taken, together.

Inspired by the author’s own experiences, One Word is one little girl’s story about discovering her grandfather’s first Aboriginal language, and his journey towards reclaiming that language.

A poignant and moving story about reclaiming language and the enduring power of love, told though the eyes of a little girl on a quest to learn her grandfather’s hidden first language.

About the Author: Melissa-Jane Fogarty is a kidlit author/illustrator and freelance editor and writer. She’s of Mununjali descent, living on Darkinjung land, NSW, Australia. She has a Masters in Publishing from the University of Sydney, a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Newcastle and is a graduate of the Children’s Book Academy as well as The Australian Writers’ Centre. When not sketching, writing or editing, Melissa is hanging with her husband, two children, two fur babies and drinking copious amounts of tea.

07 Jul 2026
 

One Word by Melissa-Jane Fogarty ISBN 9780734423337