My own parents, like the mums and dads of the 1950s, grew up in a depression and came of age during a war. My grandparents’ experiences were closer to those of Billy Dare, who was born in an era of horse and cart and yet died at the dawn of the space age. The children of the 1950s, the baby boomers, have shaped history and their stories are still a work in progress. Perhaps the most exciting stories, which are yet to unfold, belong to the children of today.
Have you read
the other books
in the
Children of the Wind
series …
Children of the Wind Book 1
BRIDIE’S FIRE
Bridie looked up at the swirling stars. It was as if the sky and the whole world was opening up before her. In her rough boy’s clothes, she wasn’t Bridie O‘Connor, an Irish waif. She wasn’t an orphan girl at sea, a stranger in a new land.
She wasn’t even a servant any more. She could be a whole new Bridie. Nothing could quench the fire in her now.
‘Enticing and exciting . . .
a masterpiece.’
Stephanie, Year 9
‘A well crafted and finely
tuned historical novel.. .
a rollicking adventure.’
Children’s Book Council,
Notable Books 2004
CBCA Notable Book 2004
NSW Premier’s History Awards 2004
(shortlisted for the Young People’s History Prize)
WAYBRA shortlist 2005
BECOMING BILLY DARE
On the road with a travelling circus, on the run with a wild child, and sleeping rough on the mean streets of Melbourne, Paddy learns to live by his wits. Each adventure brings him closer to discovering his true gift.
‘I really loved
Becoming Billy Dare.
These books just
keep getting better.’
Ruby Meredith, Year 10
The Children of the Wind
series is truly exhilarating.’
David, 12
‘A thoroughly entertaining
and authentic portrayal
with well-realised and
intriguing characters.’
Children’s Book Council, Notable Books 2005
CBCA Notable Book 2005
OTHER BOOKS BY KIRSTY MURRAY
Zarconi’s Magic Flying Fish
Before he came to Zarconi’s, Gus didn’t even know
he had grandparents, let alone ones who juggled knives
and ate fire. Now he’s caught up in their world
turds - and there’s a snake-girl who might become his
best friend or his worst enemy.
Winner WA Premier’s Book Award 2000
(children’s book section)
Market Blues
One day Sam is a kid with a straightforward life,
next moment he’s sucked into a time warp and flung
back a hundred years. Meeting Flea, Gertie and the gang
is just the start of a crazy adventure with Sam on the run
from police, sleeping outside the morgue, laying bets
on horse races, fighting thieves and larrikins. An accident
in a shooting gallery confronts him with the hardest
choice he’s ever had to make. Can he change
the past - and his own future?
CBCA Notable Book 2002
Aurealis Award shortlist 2001
Selected by the Australian Centre for Youth Literature as
one of the 150 Most Treasured Victorian Books
Walking Home with Marie-Claire
Whether it’s spent wagging school or just hanging
out on the beach, Marie-Claire can make any day an
and why won’t she listen when PJ tries to steer them
out of trouble?
CBCA Notable Book 2003
WAYBRA shortlist 2004
Tough Stuff
True stories about kids and courage
From the wolf girls of India to a teenage Olympic
champion; from Iqbal Masih, the inspirational
12-year-old crusader for human rights, to the Dalai
Lama; from outback Australia to Auschwitz,
Tough Stuff is packed with true stories that show
what kids are really made of.
It’s about children who protested, rebelled, prayed,
saved lives, earned a fortune, lost everything, became
world-famous, or survived war and oppression. It’s about
kids making a difference in the adult world.