AustLit

'It's 1841 and Letty is farewelling Lavinia, her older sister who is embarking on a long sea voyage to Australia. There's a mix-up and Letty stays on board and finds herself setting sail for NSW as well. Lavinia doesn't want her little sister on the ship and Letty's frightened - what will become of her?

'During this period of history, Britain sent fewer convicts to Australia but also paid people like Lavinia to come as free settlers. In four years, from 1838 - 1841, 40,000 men, women and children emigrated to NSW. Letty's adventures, which unfold in four exciting instalments, [are] the imagined story of one of them.'

Source: Our Australian Girl website, http://www.ouraustraliangirl.com.au/
Sighted: 08/02/2011

'It's 1864 and Poppy lives at a mission near Echuca in Victoria. Of Indigenous and Chinese heritage, Poppy hates the mission, especially once her brother Gus runs away to pan for gold. Many indigenous children were taken from their parents and placed in missions where they were trained in household chores and as farm hands before being adopted by white families. During the 1850s and 60s, more than a third of the world's gold was found in Victoria and this attracted many people from all over the world.

'Poppy runs away to look for Gus but how will she survive in the bush? And will she ever find Gus? Poppy's story, told in four gripping instalments, is a glimpse into life as an outsider at that time.'

Source: Our Australian Girl website, http://www.ouraustraliangirl.com.au/
Sighted: 08/02/2011

'It's 1900 and Rose lives with her family in a big house in Melbourne. She wants to play cricket and have adventures but Rose's ultra-conservative mother won't let her. Then young Aunt Alice, a feisty suffragette, moves in with them and everything changes.

'In 1900, life was very restrictive for women. In most parts of Australia, women weren't allowed to vote, few got the chance to go to university and it was difficult for women to have careers of their own. Girls like Rose and women like Alice had to fight for the rights they felt entitled to. Rose's story, told in four exciting instalments, shows how rebelliousness and courage brought about change, making it possible for Australian girls today to have so many choices.'

Source: Our Australian Girl website, http://www.ouraustraliangirl.com.au/
Sighted: 08/02/2011

'It's 1808 and young, orphaned Grace is living in London with her Uncle Ord. Families are starving on the streets, sanitation is poor and jails are overflowing. Uncle Ord is mean to Grace and they have no money. Grace, who is always lonely and hungry, has to work as a "mudlark", searching the muddy bed of the Thames River for objects to sell. After stealing apples, Grace is arrested and transported to Australia as punishment. On board the ship Grace makes a friend, Hannah.

'Grace's story is an example of the way Australia could mean a new beginning and is told in four exciting instalments.'

Source: Our Australian Girl website, http://www.ouraustraliangirl.com.au/
Sighted: 08/02/2011

'Read all four vibrant stories and share in Ruby’s adventures as she discovers happiness in a time of great hardship.

'It's 1930 . . . and Ruby Quinlan lives in a big house in Adelaide with her parents and her fox terrier, Baxter. As she prepares for her twelfth birthday party, Ruby has never been happier, but the world outside is experiencing harder times. Ruby knows that lots of people are losing their jobs, but her own family life seems comfortable and secure . . . until things start falling apart.

'Happy-go-lucky, compassionate and loving, Ruby is an unforgettable Australian Girl.' (Publication summary)