Animal Stars
4 primary works • 6 total works
Book 1
Book 2
To the world outside her luxurious prison, Mary Queen of Scots was either a shameless beauty who killed her husband, or the rightful Queen of England and Scotland, tragically held captive by Elizabeth I. But to the dog who loved her, Mary was simply his mistress, and the centre of his world.
While Mary desperately plotted to seize both her freedom and the throne, her dog Folly's world is one of chasing mice behind the tapestries and enjoying turkey legs with quinces for supper. Until the day comes when they try to take his Queen away ... Based on the true story of the dog who was with Mary when she died, the Dog Who Loved a Queen is a fascinating tale of religious bigotry, plots and passion - and the unquestioning loyalty of a small Scottish terrier.
Book 3
The humans call him 'Bell Sing', but to the other camels he is known as 'He Who Spits Further Than the Wind'.
Transported from the mountains and deserts of the 'Northwest Frontier' (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), Bell Sing accompanies explorers Burke and Wills as they try to cross Australia from south to north.
Bell Sing has never had a high opinion of humans -- or horses. And this expedition is the worst-managed caravan he's ever been in. Camel handler Dost Mahomet and soldier John King are also beginning to wonder if their leader is competent ... or crazy.
Bell Sing can smell water over the sandhills on the horizon ... and freedom too. Can the expedition succeed? And who -- if anyone -- will survive?
This is the gritty and true story about one of the most extraordinary and iconic events in Australia's history.
PRAISE FOR THE ANIMAL STARS
'an irreverent and informative charmer' - Sunday Age
'What a delight to read this book! ... could inspire much original history reading by young readers' - Book News
'This is history brought to life for the younger reader' - Reader's Feast Book Guide
Book 4
Most Australians know of Simpson and his donkey, who became heroes at Gallipoli, even among the Turkish forces. Few know where the donkey came from, or what happened to him after World War I. Or that another man carried on rescuing the wounded with the donkey after Simpson died.
This is the story of a small unassuming donkey. It's also the story of Gallipoli, of Jack Simpson, and New Zealander stretcher-bearer Richard Henderson, who literally took up the reins after Simpson's death. Exhaustively researched, it gives a new depth to our understanding of this story of Anzac heroism.
PRAISE FOR JACKIE FRENCH
'Jackie French is excellent at telling history in an exciting way for children' -- Burke's Backyard
All of Australia's dingoes may be descended from one south-east Asian 'rubbish dog' who arrived here over 5,000 years ago. This is a story about the first dingo.It is also the story of Loa, who heads off across the sea in his canoe when the girl he loves marries another. He takes only his spears and a 'rubbish dog', one of the scavengers from around the camp to eat if he gets hungry, or to throw to threatening sharks or crocodiles. But when a storm blows boy and dog out to sea, both must learn to survive in a strange new world as partners - and even as friends.
From renowned author Jackie French comes a story about survival in our earliest times.
Praise for The Horse Who Bit a Bushranger:
'This is a gripping, moving story that is also wonderfully evocative of an era when survival meant growing, creating or killing everything you needed. Kids will love the book for its pace, its sense of adventure and the fact that it is a darn good tale, like French's earlier books in the series.' -- Books + Publishing
A story of survival, second chances ... and a dance with danger.
Young Billy Marks is a pickpocket, transported to the penal colony of New South Wales. He reckons he'll become a bushranger - but that's before he's had a chance to see the bush up close. And when he buys the big white brumby stallion, covered with scars but refusing to bend to any man's will, he knows he made the right choice.
Billy's daughter Mattie Jane thinks her father can ride any horse who ever lived ... and so can she! But when tragedy strikes, the Marks clan, including Mattie's beloved horse, Rebel Yell, will need all their courage to keep the family together.
The deeds and disputed stories of Jackie French's own ancestors inspire another novel - a tale of proud horses, trailblazing farmers and their resilient wives, and desperate men forced to break the law to survive.
PRAISE FOR ANIMAL STARS SERIES:
'beautifully written ... a significant addition to the books about Gallipoli' - ReadPlus.com.au
'marvel at Jackie French's versatility and her skill in making the past live for young readers' - Magpies