AustLit

'New, from award-winning historical novelist, Pamela Rushby, exploring the roles, and struggles, of women in wartime

'The poster had a picture of a tanned, healthy girl, wearing a regulation uniform hat and shorts that were, surely, anything but regulation.
When Hilly volunteers for the Women’s Land Army in 1942, she’s sixteen years old. She expects to be picking sun-kissed fruit and bottle-feeding fluffy white lambs, all while she's wearing a flattering outfit.

'Travelling to farms across Queensland, Hilly encounters backbreaking work, but also friendship and fellowship with other Land Army girls, Aileen and Glad, all seeking independence for their own reasons. War is a chance for a life away from family and familiarity, offering adventure and romance. But the poster didn’t mention crutching sheep or 4 am starts. Or the prejudice they would face, and that some men needed to be fought off, rather than fought for. In the midst of adversity, Hilly finds exactly what she is capable of … and it might be more than she ever thought possible. She is one of ‘those girls with grit’.' (Publication summary)

'Based on true events, Interned is a moving, well-researched and evocative historical fiction novel that highlights an often forgotten moment in Australian history.

It’s 1914. Gretta lives a privileged life in Singapore, the daughter of a businessman; Tilly lives a modest life in Brisbane, the daughter of a baker. When war breaks out and both countries turn on their families for being German, the two girls find themselves taken from their homes, interned at a camp in rural New South Wales. Far away from everything they have ever known, Gretta and Tilly are forced to face prejudice, overcome adversity and to make their own community.' (Publication summary)

'Nine-year-old city newspaper seller Roddy becomes involved in the infamous Battle of Brisbane in 1942: when American and Australian servicemen fought against each other, rioting in the streets of the city for two days.

'When Roddy helps an American serviceman who’s been involved in the fighting, he never expects that the battle will become covered up – a wartime secret. Never to be reported in the newspapers he sells. Or that his actions will result in a new life for him after the war – all the way to the USA.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Matilda dreams of seeing new places and things, away from her ordinary life on the farm. But she never expected to see them by being washed away in a flood! Will she ever see the other cows again?

'Based on a true story of a cow’s journey down the Brisbane River, this is a book about finding courage and being brave.' (Publication summary)

'A crumbling castle, a moat full of crocodiles, a catastrophe of kittens, and let’s not forget the villains and the mummies! This rambunctious story has it all.

'1873 England Orphaned Hattie goes to live with her great uncle and aunt in their crumbling castle in the English Fens. There, Great Aunt Iphigenia hosts flamboyant mummy-unwrapping parties to save her home from ruin – until the mummy supply runs out. On a dangerous search for more, a thousand miles up the Nile, Hattie is haunted by these ancient souls and tries to free them with unexpected consequences. A potent blend of fantasy and history, this rambunctious story has it all!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Could there possibly be anything more absolutely, mega embarrassing than being called Parsley? You bet. After a disagreement with the local council, Parsleys dad decides to set up his own principality, making 12-year-old Parsley - Princess Parsley! How about that for making you popular in your first year of high school? But it's the way Parsley approaches being a princess that really causes a stir, and a lot of laughs.' (Publication summary)

'London, 1940. Bombs are falling and 10-year-old Margaret Rose survives a deadly raid, but her family home is destroyed. In faraway Townsville in Queensland, her aunt is ready to take her in, although her 11-year-old cousin Lizzie is not so sure. But first there is a long and dangerous voyage to a strange country, also at war. Margaret Rose knows it's not going to be easy, and Lizzie is not about to make it any easier.' (Publication summary)

'Max and his family plan a trip to Hadrian’s Wall in England. Just as they are leaving, Max’s gran gives him a very unusual warning … but Max doesn’t listen. Along with a tour guide called Jefficus, Max embarks on a walk along the wall. But when the mist comes in, they find themselves in a very unfamiliar time and place. Will they be able to find their way back?'

(Publication Summary)

'Darwin Wong wanted to go to Alaska for his family’s annual holiday. Instead, his family decided on a trip to China. How is an all-Australian 12-year-old who looks Chinese but doesn’t speak a word of Chinese, and has two left feet, going to cope in China?'

(Publication Summary)

'Sarah leads a hard and lonely life in the orphanage in Ireland. Until one day, she is given some news. She is old enough to set sail to the Australian colony of New South Wales for a new job and a new life, as a free immigrant.

'The long sea journey to Australia is a different experience for Sarah. She happily learns how to sew and read for the first time, but there’s also seasickness, storms and quarrels with Maggie. Will Sarah be able to make a successful life for herself in her new home of Sydney?' (Publication summary)

'It's 1891. Maggie McAllister and her family are caught up in one of the most dramatic events in Australia's history: the Shearers Strike. The trouble that erupts between the Shearers Union, the pastoralists and the government has never been seen before on the quiet streets of Barcaldine. Maggie plays her part in the Unions struggle in no small way herself, through her writing. Her friends, a local pastoralist family, do not see things the same way, and for Maggie, singing a rebel song may yet have heartbreaking consequences.' (Publication summary)

'Sophia and her parents have travelled to Greece for a family wedding. But Sophia feels very anxious. She can only speak a few words of Greek. How will she understand everyone?' (Publication Summary)

'Lulu, Ajay and Darcy were surprised to learn that many guinea pigs were rescued last year, and were living at Aunty Elly’s vet clinic. But 50 guinea pigs still needed new homes. What could Lulu, Ajay and Darcy do to help?' (Publication Summary)

'It is 1914. Tom’s eldest brother Andy has decided to join the Light Horse Brigade. He is being sent overseas to fight in the war.

Life on the farm is hard without Andy and his horse Sunny to help. Tom and his family miss Andy very much, and they hope they will see him again soon.'

(Publication Summary)