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.

What a great story about a boy who was sent to Australia as part of the First Fleet and the adversity they faced.

Leaving at the Green Sage cafe

A certain person told me this is a good read, so on to Mt TBR it goes.
Caught at Green Sage Cafe last Saturday.

I very much enjoyed this book, in fact I couldn't put it down. A bit of twist on the usual First Fleet storyline. This is the first Jackie French book I have read, I am impressed and wanting MORE. Recommended reading.

This will be set free during the convention.

To the finder of this book -
Please let me know it is in safe hands by journalling that you have caught it, you are under no obligation to read it and Bookcrossing is completely anonymous.

Picked up from the book table at the convention. I intended to use it for a themed release, but I was told it was worth reading.

Thanks for the advice to read it - a lovely story, and I even learnt a few things I didn't know about Australian history.

Given to a fellow Toastmaster after a speech on Bookcrossing I gave at a Cathedral City Toastmasters meeting.

Happy bookcrossing!

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