Belinda Murrell

A ruby talisman is the key to entering a thrilling adventure in this timeslip tale that takes readers into one of the most dangerous periods in history: the French Revolution. When Tilly's aunt tells her of their ancestress who survived the French Revolution, she shows Tilly a priceless heirloom. Tilly falls asleep wearing the ruby talisman, wishing she could escape to a more adventurous life . . . In 1789, Amelie-Mathilde is staying at the opulent palace of Versailles. Her guardians want her to marry the horrible old Chevalier to revive their fortunes. Amelie-Mathilde falls asleep holding her own ruby talisman, wishing someone would come to her rescue . . . Tilly wakes up beside Amelie-Mathilde. The timing couldn't be worse. The Bastille has fallen and starving peasants are rioting across the country. The palace is in chaos. Tilly knows that Amelie and her cousin Henri must escape from France if they are to survive the Revolution ahead. But with mutinous villagers, vengeful servants and threats at every turn, there seems nowhere to run. Will they ever reach England and safety?

The Ruby Talisman

Chloe, a young girl living in Darwin, has her life turned upside down when World War II comes to the shores of Australia.

The Forgotten Pearl

'Georgie's sad. She wants me to help her. Can't you see her, Jemma? She's right there.' Jemma has just landed her first babysitting job, in one of the famous Witches' Houses. Sammy says it's haunted, but Jemma doesn't know what to believe. One day Jemma discovers an ivory rose charm. As she touches it she sees a terrifying flashback. Is it the moment the ghost girl was murdered? Jemma runs away but tumbles down the stairs. She wakes up in 1895, unable to get home. Jemma becomes a maid - but all is not well in the grand house. Jemma begins to suspect that the young heiress, Georgiana, is being poisoned. Now she must find the proof and rescue her friend - before time runs out.

The Ivory Rose

In an exciting timeslip tale, Claire finds an old trunk filled with her grandmother's treasures, including an old star-shaped brooch covered in sequinsWhy does Claire's wealthy grandmother own such a cheap piece of jewelry? The mystery deepens when the brooch hurtles Claire back in time to 1932. Australia is in the grip of the Great Depression and people seek distraction from their problems through entertainment. There's the famous horse Phar Lap, cricket hero Don Bradman, and then there are circuses. Claire finds herself stranding in the camp of the Sterling Brothers Circus. Rescued by Princess Rosina, a beautiful trick rider, Claire is given a job in the camp kitchen. Life is hard, but she makes friends with Rosina and Jem, and a boy named Kit who comes to the circus night after night to watch Rosina perform. When Kit is kidnapped by a fanatical political group, it's up to Claire, Rosina, and Jem to save him. But Claire is starting to wonder just who Kit and Rosina really are. One is escaping poverty and the other is escaping wealth -- can the two find happiness together?

The sequin star

In 1839 Australia, Charlotte, her mother, and her siblings flee into the wilderness after the death of Charlotte's father, and they fight to protect their property, independence, and right to stay together as a family.

The River Charm

'She didn't know why she felt the urge to wear the old necklace. It just seemed to have a magnetic pull on her.' When Sophie wears the heart-shaped locket, she magically travels back to 1858 to learn the truth about her ancestor. Charlotte Mackenzie and her sister, Nell, live a wonderful life on a misty Scottish island. Then disaster strikes and it seems the girls will lose everything they love. As the girls outwit greedy relatives, escape murderous bushrangers, and fight storm and fire, Sophie shares in their adventures. But how will her travels in time affect Sophie's own life?

The Locket of Dreams

Marli is staying with her dad in Melbourne, and missing her friends. Then she discovers a mystery - an abandoned mansion is to be returned to her family after many years. Marli sneaks into the locked garden to explore, and meets Luca, a boy who has his own connection to Riversleigh. A peacock hatbox, an antique camera and a key on a velvet ribbon provide clues to what happened long ago . . . In 1922, Violet is fifteen. Her life is filled with boating parties, picnics and extravagant balls. An army of servants looks after her family - including the young Russian chauffeur, Nikolai. Over one summer, Violet must decide what is important to her. What will she learn about Melbourne's slums as she defies her father's orders to help a friend? Who will her sister marry? And what breathtaking secret is Nikolai hiding?

Lost Sapphire, The

Magical and exciting, full of wonderful creatures, mysterious codes and puzzles, and with four courageous young heroes and heroines, this series will delight all young fantasy fans. After their village is attacked, a young brother and sister set off on a dangerous quest to save their captured family and friends - and free their land from the Sedah invaders. Where are Ethan and Lily's parents being held? And where have the Sun Sword and its magical gems been hidden? Joined by their friend Saxon and the determined Princess Roana, Ethan and Lily must solve puzzles and riddles, escape legendary sea monsters and outwit bandits along the way. But the greatest threat to the children is the sinister Sedah tracker, Sniffer, who is close on their trail ... Can the four friends find the Sun Gem - before the Sedah can find them?

Sun Sword 1: Quest for the Sun Gem

Transported to the land of Tuscia, Sophie accidentally saves the daughter of a wealthy family and is swept along on their journey to the Golden Tower. Now she is the only one standing between sisters Isabella and Bia and the terrible fate their stepmother has planned. Sophie doesn't think she is brave enough, but with the help of a talking cat, a stableboy and some very tiny mischief-makers, she might be able to save the day.

Golden Tower, The

Zoe loves her home. She lives at a zoo! Today she is excited about helping her mum feed the animals. But one of the animals is hiding? Where could it be?

Aussie Kids: Meet Zoe and Zac at the Zoo

When Sophie wears the heart-shaped locket, she magically travels backto 1858 to learn the truth about her ancestor. Charlotte Mackenzie and her sister, Nell, live a wonderful life on a misty Scottish island. Then disaster strikes and it seems the girls will lose everything they love. As the girls outwit greedy relatives, excape murderous bushrangers and fight storm and fire, Sophie shares in their adventures, but how will her travels in time affect Sophie's own life?

A river pebble on a charm bracelet has an astonishing true story to tell, of one family’s bravery and survival in harsh colonial Australia . . . When artistic Millie visits a long-lost aunt, she learns the true story of her family’s tragic past. Could the mysterious ghost girl Millie has painted be her own ancestor? In 1839, Charlotte Atkinson lives at Oldbury, a gracious estate in the Australian bush, with her Mamma and her sisters and brother. But after the death of Charlotte’s father, things start to go terribly wrong. There are murderous convicts and marauding bushrangers. Worst of all, Charlotte’s new stepfather is cruel and unpredictable. Frightened for their lives, the family flees on horseback to a stockman’s hut in the wilderness. Charlotte’s mother and the children must fight to save their property, their independence and their very right to be a family. Will they ever return together to their beautiful home? Based on the incredible true-life battles of Belinda Murrell’s own ancestors, one of Australia’s early artistic and literary families, the Atkinsons of Oldbury.

Pippa and her friends Meg, Cici and Charlie are excited to join the school newspaper team - but will their friendship survive deciding what to write about when they have such different interests? A fashion photo shoot could be fun, if it weren't for bad weather, a naughty puppy and other disasters! Just when things couldn't get any worse, the four cub reporters get a news scoop that could bring the whole town together at Pepper's mum's beach shack caf. Cupcakes for everyone!

Pippa's Island 2: Cub Reporters

The students in class 5M are heading off to school camp. Pippa has never been away on camp before, at least not to a deserted tropical island! The Sassy Sisters look forward to five blissful days together exploring Shipwreck Island's beaches and lagoon. But when the teams get regrouped, Pippa has to learn to cooperate with Olivia and the other girls. Mrs Marshall promised challenges and adventure, but she forgot to mention the pranks. After one too many of the boys' tricks, the girls decide to take their revenge. Will class 5M survive Camp Castaway?

Pippa's Island 4: Camp Castaway

It's almost time for Lulu's little sister's birthday party. But there's a problem! A pony is running loose and Lulu and her dad, the local vet, have to rescue it. Can they find the pony? And what will happen if the naughty pony gets into more mischief at the party? It's lucky that Lulu has a plan!

Lulu Bell and the Birthday Unicorn

Kate Forsyth

In 1841, Australia's first children's book was published, the anonymous writer known only as 'a lady long resident in New South Wales'. The identity of the author was one of the most puzzling literary mysteries until 1981, when she was finally given a name: Charlotte Waring Atkinson.Today, her great-great-great-great-granddaughters Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell are also celebrated authors. They grew up on stories about Charlotte's life of love, grief, and violence - and her struggle to assert an independent spirit. Not only a bestselling author, she was also an early Australian artist, and a pioneer in the fight for women's legal rights. In SEARCHING FOR CHARLOTTE, Kate and Belinda embark on a voyage of discovery that investigates family history, writing, motherhood, what changes and what stays the same. It is a journey that will transform everything they thought they knew about their family...

The Fascinating Story of Australia's First Children's Author

Searching for Charlotte

Year Three students are going on an excursion to the zoo. Luckily the zoo vet is one of Dad's best friends, so Lulu and Molly and their friends get special treatment! When a tiger cub gets into trouble and hurts its leg, the zookeepers have to take it to the hospital. The zoo vet sets to work--with Lulu and Molly looking on. Will the tiger cub be OK?

Lulu Bell and the Tiger Cub

Transported to the land of Tuscia, Sophie accidentally saves the daughter of a wealthy family and is swept along on their journey to the Golden Tower. Now she is the only one standing between sisters Isabella and Bia and the terrible fate their stepmother has planned. Sophie doesn’t think she is brave enough, but with the help of a talking cat, a stableboy and some very tiny mischief-makers, she might be able to save the day.

The Golden Tower

The forgotten pearl is the key to entering an exhilarating wartime adventure from bestselling author Belinda Murrell. When Chloe visits her grandmother, she learns how close the Second World War came to destroying her family. Could the experiences of another time help Chloe to face her own problems? In 1941, Poppy lives in Darwin, a peaceful paradise far from the war. But when Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, then Australia, everything Poppy holds dear is threatened - her family, her neighbours, her friends and her beloved pets. Her brother Edward is taken prisoner-of-war. Her home town becomes a war zone, as the Japanese raid over and over again. Terrified for their lives, Poppy and her mother flee to Sydney, only to find that the danger follows them there. Poppy must face her war with courage and determination. Will her world ever be the same again?

Belinda Murrell

About

Books

Join the club