The Secret History
5 total works
In1798 orphaned Barney Bean now has a flourishing farm in the New SouthWales colony and everything he ever dreamed of ... except his childhood friendElsie.
Butwhen Elsie falls ill and Barney rushes to be by her side, he finally learns thedeadly secret she has been hiding.
Who is this strange and beautiful girl who will not speak? And could Franceever attack the isolated colony?
Written byaward-winning author Jackie French and superbly illustrated by Mark Wilson,this fourth book in The Secret Histories series explores extraordinary anduntold stories from Australia's past, including the female French botanistwho could only work disguised as a man, French and Englishspies, and wars between two empires that threatened even a far-off colony.
By the 1790s, orphaned Barney Bean finally has his own farm in the early NSW colony. All his dreams are coming true!
Black Caesar claims he is an ex-slave who vowed to be free. Or is he a laughing villain, a trickster who plans to terrorise the colony?
Should Barney help him? Or does he risk losing everything - including his life?
In this third title in The Secret Histories series, award-winning author and Children's Laureate Jackie French has researched the life of little-known John Black Caesar, who was Australia's first recorded bushranger.
From best-selling and award-winning author Jackie French comes a new series for younger readers called the Secret Histories.
This first book in the series tells the story of a young indigenous girl Birrung who befriends orphaned Barney and his friend Elsie. Birrung is living with Mr Johnson, chaplain to the Australian colony in 1790, and his family. Generous in spirit, the Johnson family also take in Barney and Elsie who have only just been surviving on their meagre daily rations. Despite living with the Johnsons, Birrung's connection to her people remains strong, and when Mr and Mrs Johnson see how Barney's feeling for Birrung are growing, they gently explain that his friendship with a 'native' girl and all that she taught him about her language and lore must remain a secret - forever.
Perfect for readers who loved the best-selling and award-winning Nanberry: Black Brother White, the Secret Histories series will be welcomed by all who love the power of Jackie French's storytelling.
'HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL READERS'
-- ReadPlus on Barney and the Secret of the Whales
The whisper in the darkness is: rebellion! (Or: death or liberty!)
Frog is an orphan, a pickpocket, starving on the streets of Parramatta in 1804.
But when the tall, commanding Irish rebel Mr Cunningham talks of freedom from tyranny and the lash, Frog creeps out to join the rebels, the 10,000 convicts who will take over the colony and proclaim the Republic of New Ireland.
Will farmers like Barney and Elsie Bean join the battle against the corrupt New South Wales Corps? For the fate of the colony -- and Australia -- will be decided at Castle Hill.
Based on eyewitness accounts, this fifth title in The Secret Histories series uncovers the secrets that the colonial government hid for over 200 years.
PRAISE FOR THE SECRET HISTORIES SERIES
'French's eye for historic details makes this a compelling reading' -- Daily Telegraph
'Jackie French has a knack for discovering fascinating hidden facts from our past and bringing them to life. Children will be so captivated by the story that they won't even notice they are absorbing rich and memorable lessons from Australia's history. Highly recommended for middle school' -- Magpies magazine
The second book in a series that explores little-known history about Australia's fascinating past.
Barney Bean is keen to make his fortune and he hears a secret; a sailor's secret about the treasure of the colony.
But how can chasing whales make you rich? Is adventure at sea worth leaving everything he loves?
Written by award-winning author Jackie French and superbly illustrated by Mark Wilson, this second book in The Secret Histories series explores how the early colony survived with the wealth from whaling, a little-known secret from Australia's past.