The penal colony of Norfolk Island was an exciting new world for 13 year old Otter and his brother. Their mother had sent them there to live with their uncle who was the Commandant of the settlement. They are to grow up like gentlemen and follow the family tradition of becoming officers in the Army. From the moment they arrive they are caught up in an exciting series of events...

Commended by the Children's Book Council of Australia.

A thumping good children's adventure, although I felt that the language might be a bit difficult for 8-10 year olds at whom the book is surely aimed. I doubt that "craven", for example, would even be in their vocabulary. Still, it's a convincing picture of life in Australia's most notorious penal colony for twice-convicted felons, around 1850. My main quibble is with the title, which is absolutely meaningless.

RELEASE NOTES:

A release at the brand new Official BookCrossing Zone at Cafe Tiffany's. Welcome to BookCrossing!

I picked this up at the Cafe Tiffany's OBCZ launch. It was a very quick read and fairly enjoyable, though I would agree with Fleebo that it would be hard work for its target audience. The main character was unnaturally resourceful for his age, but I guess that that's not uncommon in this type of book.

I'll release this at the mini-meet tomorrow night.

Picked up at a Sydney mini-meet. Will pass on to friend teaching English in Phillipines to children. They desperately need books in English for lessons - so this book is definitely going to a place where it will be needed.