Description
By: Jackie French
A story of transportation and life in a new world from Australia's Children's Laureate
At the tender age of eight, chimney sweep Tom Appleby is convicted of stealing and sentenced to deportation to Botany Bay. As one of the members of the First Fleet, he arrives in a country that seemingly has little to offer - or little that the English are used to, anyway.
Luckily, not long after tom's arrival in the colony, the fair and kind Sergeant Stanley decides to take on tom as a servant. Together Tom, Sergeant Stanley and his son, Rob, build a house, set up an orchard and a vegetable garden for themselves - and thrive, unlike many others in the new colony.
Jackie French weaves Tom's story in with the story of the development of Australia. She tells of a colony that, despite its natural abundance, cannot offer what the colonists want - familiarity. While the people's health is better than it ever was in England, their morale is low as they wait for news from home.
Published: 28th April 2004
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 304
Audience: Children
For Ages: 10+ years old
For Grades: 4 - 6
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Country of Publication: AU
Dimensions (cm): 19.5 x 12.5 x 2
Weight (kg): 0.23