Harriet & Will: The Secret Gold

Harriet & Will: The Secret Gold by Debra Clewer (Lilly Pilly Grace Publications) MG AU$13.95 ISBN 978-0-6455168-4-5

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies

Follow the further adventures of Harriet and Will as they travel through time in another middle-grade time-slip novel by Debra Clewer.

Harriet and her best friend Will set out on their school excursion to learn about the Australian gold rush. They visit three different locations where, at each spot, they come across an old red phone booth. And for the cost of a penny, the phone booth plays gold rush stories. Being the history buff that Harriet is, she goes into the booth to listen, but a mysterious portal takes her to the actual gold rush, where she discovers much more than gold.

Harriet’s family are having some money troubles, so Harriet jokes to her mother that she’ll find them some gold. Together, Harriet and Will discover gold sovereigns and a gold nugget that’s been lost for 100 years! But will she be allowed to keep them? And how will she address the interfering bully in her life? Perhaps a little magic from an old dragon friend could do the trick!

This story introduces young readers to the significant role and contribution the Chinese played in Australian history, and the impact the gold rush had on the country's growth and development.

In the same vein as Debra Clewer’s previous Harriet and Will book, The Secret Rings, the short chapters make it an easy read for young readers of around 8-10 who are into magic, fantasy and dragons, and maybe a touch of history.

The author has developed activity sheets, a colouring picture and a word search that parents or carers can download from her website. And for anyone who purchases the paperback version from the author’s website, an embellished bookmark with the cutest little coin is included. Will the coin bring the reader the same luck as Harriet?

Harriet and Will: The Secret Gold

Title: Harriet and Will: The Secret Gold

Genre: Middle-Grade for readers aged 9-13

Theme: Australian gold rush time-travel historical fiction adventure with elements of magical realism

Author: Debra Clewer

Publisher: Lilly Pilly Grace Publishing

Cover design: Joel Broughton

Release date: 22^nd July 2026                                                                                                                                                          

What do a red phone booth, an equally red dragon, and gold missing for one hundred years have in common? Everything!

When Harriet Cooper and Will Taylor embark on a school excursion to three gold rush locations, they hurtle through history. A mysterious restored red phone booth appears at each place, ready to play gold rush stories for the cost of an old penny. But the ancient phone booth does much more, and the two friends find themselves back in the gold rush days at each place! When Harriet discovers gold sovereigns and a nugget, will she be allowed to keep them? Or will they have to be returned to the sites where they were discovered?

Be prepared for daring dragon battles, tough teachers and the bothersome bully who makes life difficult as Harriet and Will seek justice.

For fans of Dr Who, C.S. Lewis and Roald Dahl.

Links to purchase:

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0H9RBQJFS/   (eBook)

Website:   https://www.clewerbooknook.com   (paperback)

Harriet & Will, The Secret Rings

Harriet & Will, The Secret Rings by Debra Clewer (King’s Ink Imprint Lilly Pilly Publishing) Novel RRP $14.95 ISBN 978 0 6455168 0 7

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies 

Harriet is a history fanatic, so when her class is given a project to research a time and place from the ancient past, she is elated. But she is not prepared for the magic that takes her there to witness first-hand the very things she has only read about or seen on the history channel. 

Harriet and her friend Will partner up as study buddies for their class project and together they time travel to three different countries where they get to experience the daily life of the people from an earlier time.

But Harriet isn’t one to stand by when she sees an event that she thinks is unfair or unjust, so she takes action to help others, even if at times her ideas seem a little fanciful. 

Readers of this story get to learn a little about ancient Rome and Greece and medieval England during the time of Robin Hood. They will learn a few facts by osmosis and even some new words in a different language.

Young readers of about 8-12 years-old who enjoy the magic and fantasy of time travel are likely to enjoy this book as it moves along at a steady pace with simple language. It’s short chapters also mean young readers will feel they are racing through it when they say, ‘I’ve read three chapters.’

Every classroom has children like Harriet, students who are enthusiastic about their learning, and who are the defenders of the good. This book will especially appeal to those students.

The author has developed activity sheets and colouring pictures that parents or carers can download from her website, and for anyone who purchases the paperback version from the author’s website, a beautifully illustrated bookmark will be included.

Will and Harriet: The Secret Rings.

Buzz Words member Debra Williams (writing under the pen name of Debra Clewer) is relaunching her Middle-Grade historical fiction/fantasy children’s novel, Will and Harriet: The Secret Rings.

This is a time-slip story suitable for ages 9-13. Harriet Cooper and her best friend, Will Taylor, research a school history project in their local library. Harriet’s eyes are drawn to a picture of an ancient silver ring in an old book….and then something extraordinary happens! The two friends are drawn into time-slip adventures galore in three ancient locations. Can they return in time to complete their school project?

‘This was a delightful read packed full of adventure and learning. The story is engaging, fast-paced and fascinating. I gave it five out of five stars.’

Sandra Bennett-Children’s author.

Debra began her writing journey in 2015 after noticing that children were struggling with their reading levels in the schools where she worked. She wanted to create stories that engage, inspire and encourage young readers. Debra has three Middle-Grade novels independently published, with the fourth adventure currently under construction. Debra also has several short stories (for kids and adults) published in anthologies and online. Two Junior Fiction manuscripts are either under construction or being edited, and a third now awaits a home.

In 2022, Debra released her first chapter book, Ah-Fur, Super Sleuth: The Case of the Missing Moggies (available online & through Debra’s website). In 2024, she was both long and shortlisted in the Just Write For Kids Pitch It! competition.

Debra’s secondary interest is creating custom-made puppets, particularly for other authors.

Books can be ordered through Debra at:  https://www.clewerbooknook.com   and https://www.facebook.com/DClewerauthor.

 

 

 

 

Ah-Fur Super Sleuth (Book 1: The Case of the Missing Moggies)

Ah-Fur Super Sleuth (Book 1: The Case of the Missing Moggies) by Debra Clewer, illustrations by Kym Langfield (Morris Publishing Australia) PB RRP $14.95 ISBN 9780645476620

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Ah-Fur is a highly regarded Australian cat detective who has been called upon to work on a top-secret case overseas. The Prime Minister of England’s two cats have been stolen, and Ah-Fur has been recommended to help find the missing pair.

Ah-Fur heads straight to London, with his cousin and driver, Show-Fur, to investigate the catnapping. He is informed that the missing moggies are highly trained and superior rat catchers, so Ah-Fur suspects an infamous gang of rats may be behind the crime, trying to protect their family and friends.

The Case of the Missing Moggies is a chapter book suitable for readers aged 7 years and older. It would appeal to an audience who enjoys adventure and mystery narratives.