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?
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?
