'Twelve year old Eleanor doesn’t want to move from her home in the cool New England region of New South Wales, to the hot dry Western Plains and a new home on her mother’s family farm. One day, in the old schoolhouse on the farm, she makes an amazing discovery, finding her grandmother’s diary, written when she was Eleanor’s own age. Eleanor doesn’t remember her grandmother Elizabeth, who died when she was three: but as she explores the diary and its secrets, she begins to understand not only her grandmother’s life and personality, but also to appreciate the special qualities of the region where she lives.

'But her grandmother’s diary will prove to be much more than just absorbing reading material, when great danger threatens Eleanor and her brothers… Vividly written and grippingly told, this first novel by a writer who went on to become one of Australia’s most beloved and acclaimed authors, received numerous awards: Children's Book Council of Australia: Highly Commended 1985; Angus & Robertson Writers for the Young Fellowship: Winner 1985; South Australian Literature Award Shortlisted 1985.' (Publication summary)