Birrung: The Secret Friend — Jackie French

The first in a new series that focuses on a secret part of our history This is the story of Boots, the ten-year-old orphaned son of a convict woman. Boots has survived Newgate and the voyage to Australia and his mother's death, and he now hides his younger sister Evie from the predominantly male colony, only venturing out to get the daily rations, slipping through and hiding among the colony of mud huts to try to get the food to his sister before it is stolen. Birrung becomes Boots's friend and protector, introducing him to the Johnstones and their abundant vegetable garden. As the colony sinks into despair, terror and hunger, Birrung helps Boots and Evie survive and eventually to understand enough indigenous language and lore so that eventually Boots becomes a prosperous farmer, having being led to good land where the 'aunties' will predict the floods and droughts to help him succeed. But as the Johnstones gently explain to Boots, his friendship with a 'native' girl - and all he owes her - must stay a secret all his life. Ages: 7-10