New Releases by Gabrielle Wang

Moonie lives in Melbourne and dreams of designing dresses for movie stars. Eight thousand kilometres away, on Chongming Island in China, peasant boy Little Dipper cares for the silkworms on his family''s farm and hopes to learn English. On the day Moonie''s beloved Ma Mi goes away, Little Dipper appears in her house. Before they can speak, he is whisked back home. Aided by a magical silk cocoon, Little Dipper''s visits become a regular event and although neither knows how or why they are connected their bond grows each time. Will the silken threads of friendship be enough to help Moonie bring Ma Mi home, or to save Little Dipper from the troublesome ghosts who stand between him and his dream of learning English? From one of Australia''s most esteemed and award-winning children''s authors and Australian Children''s Laureate for 2022-23 comes a magical story of kindness, courage and friendship''s power to make dreams come true. Praise for The Silken Thread ''A magical story of friendship full of wondrous detail about life in Australia and China during the Depression. Threaded with humour and wisdom, the voices of Little Dipper, Moonie and their families stay with you long after you put the book down.'' - Sally Rippin, 8th Australian Children''s Laureate ''The Silken Thread is a beautifully evocative sunshine burst of magical realism, illuminating the harsh and joyous realities of life in China and Australia during the Great Depression, while celebrating the hidden lives of Chinese Australians. Rich in detail, complex in theme yet delicately drawn, the novel celebrates the strange ties that bind us across cultures, time and language, highlighting the importance of learning, friendship, family and community. An enchanting pocket treasure to lose yourself in.'' - Rebecca Lim, award-winning author of Tiger Daughter ''I was fascinated by this brew of real life, history, and the uncanny magic that connects one friend to another. Wise, touching and brimming with wonder!'' - Emily Gale, award-winning author of The Goodbye Year ''A brave, beautiful and richly imagined story of ghosts, friendship, destiny and the magical threads that connect us.'' - Jane Godwin, award-winning author ''The Silken Thread is a glorious novel, braided through with gentle humour, deep feeling and magic, yet never shying away from the realities of the lives of the plucky children. Moonie and Little Dipper will stay with readers long after the final page.'' - Alice Pung, award-winning author of Millie Mak

From one of Australia''s most esteemed and award-winning children''s authors and Australian Children''s Laureate for 2022-23 comes a heartwarming story set in postwar Melbourne about courage, friendship, the magic of stories and one girl''s unwavering love for her dog. Zadie Ma has a special talent for telling stories . . . and it seems that some of Zadie''s stories come true. Zadie''s dearest wish is to have a dog of her own and so she starts to write the story of a poor unwanted dog called Jupiter, who''s just waiting to be rescued by a loving girl like Zadie. One morning when she''s supposed to be minding the family shop for her mother, Zadie sets off to look for Jupiter. The scene that unfolds isn''t quite the same as in her story but she does find a real dog, and his name is Jupiter. Once Zadie has rescued him, she realises she can''t just take Jupiter home because her mother won''t let her keep a dog. Luckily her bold new friend Sparrow lets Zadie keep Jupiter at her house till Zadie can work things out. But a series of unlucky events means that Zadie can''t write the happy ending she dreams of for her story, and now she may lose her beloved Jupiter forever. Can Zadie''s most important story of all finally come true? Gabrielle Wang is the Australian Children''s Laureate for 2022-23.

It''s 1941 . . . and the war is changing Pearlie''s life every day. Darwin is full of soldiers, there''s a spy on the loose, her beloved pets are in danger and people are turning against Pearlie''s best friend, Naoko, just because she''s Japanese. When everything falls apart, will Pearlie be brave enough to stick up for what''s right? Timid, kind, and courageous, Pearlie is an unforgettable Australian Girl.

Ziggy Truegood lives in a tiny town deep in Hushing Wood, where strange things are happening. The townspeople are fighting, Ziggy feels like something is hunting her, and her beloved woods have become dark and hostile. When exotic Raffi and his grandfather arrive in town, Ziggy finds herself strangely drawn to them. But are they there to save Ziggy, or are they the hunters? Thought-provoking and engaging, Hushing Wood is really lovely blend of action, fable and magic realism.

It''s 1864 and Poppy, disguised as a boy, has escaped from the aboriginal mission at Bird Creek near Echuca. Her dream is to find her brother Gus, who ran away to pan for gold. But travelling through the Australian bush is full of danger and adventure...Journey with Poppy across all four exciting stories about a girl who dreams of a better life during the Gold Rush.

It''s 1942 and Darwin is under attack. While bombs are falling, Pearlie is doing all she can to save her beloved pets and help the wounded soldiers. But it''s too dangerous to stay, and when Pearlie finally has to say goodbye, only the thought of being reunited with her best friend Naoko can cheer her up. But Naoko has a problem of her own: a ghostly mystery that will truly test Pearlie''s newfound courage . . .

It''s1942 . . . and Pearlie is all alone in Darwin. Not only has she been separated from her family, but now Beake, the spy, is back and he''s on the loose. He''s out to get Pearlie – but she has a plan . . . Can she pull it off? And when bombs fall on Darwin, will Pearlie survive? Follow Pearlie on her adventure in the third of four exciting stories about a courageous girl in a world at war.

It''s 1941 . . . and school is almost over – not just for summer, but forever. Darwin could be bombed any day, and everyone Pearlie knows is leaving for a safer place. Animals and pets of all kinds are being left behind, and Pearlie can''t bear it. But can she rescue them all? And what will happen when it''s her turn to leave the home she loves? Follow Pearlie on her adventure in the second of four exciting stories about a courageous girl in a world at war.

It''s1941 . . . and the war is changing Pearlie''s life every day. Darwin is full of soldiers, there''s a spy on the loose, and people are turning against Pearlie''s best friend, Naoko, just because she''s Japanese. When everything falls apart, will Pearlie be brave enough to stick up for what''s right, or will her old fears get the better of her? Meet Pearlie and join her adventure in the first of four exciting stories about a courageous girl in a world at war.

Mimi laid the box in the bench and opened it carefully. Inside were rows and rows of coloured pastels that shimmered in the light. She rolled them under her fingertips and her imagination began to fill with amazing pictures. When Mimi is given a box of magical pastels, she discovers that she can draw the Garden of Empress Cassia – a drawing so beautiful and real that people are transported inside it. But the pastels are ancient, mysterious and powerful, and in the wrong hands can be very dangerous . . .

Two extraordinary children. A quest to save a city. A magical adventure for children 10 years and olders. Oriole''s beloved Wishbird is dying and she must leave the Forest of Birds to save him. But in the City of Soulless there are traitors everywhere, and when Oriole is captured, only a street orphan can help her. Can Oriole and Boy save Soulless and its bewitched king, or will the city''s darkness prove too great even for magic?

Featuring sumptuous illustrations based on Chinese painting techniques, a lively retelling of the mythological animal race that led to the 12 signs in the Chinese Zodiac traces the proclamation of the Jade Emperor and the respective efforts of 13 animals.

It''s 1864 . . . and Poppy, disguised as a lost princess from India, has joined a travelling medicine show. They''re about to enter the town of Beechworth, where her brother Gus told her he was heading months before. Poppy is so happy to think that she might find Gus at last! But when she follows the clues, they lead her to the cemetery. Gus couldn''t really be there, could he? Join Poppy in the final of four exciting stories about a Gold Rush girl who dreams of a better life.

It''s 1864 . . . and Poppy is on the road again, heading to the town of Wahgunyah. On the way she meets a stranger who seems to know something about her past, and her special letter with the red tiger seal. But the more time she spends with this boy, the more difficult he becomes. Should Poppy trust him? Join Poppy again on her adventure in the third of four exciting stories about a Gold Rush girl who dreams of a better life.

It''s 1864 . . . and Poppy, disguised as a boy, has escaped from Bird Creek Mission to find her brother, Gus. Life on the road is hard, but Poppy is given shelter at the Summerhill Homestead. There she meets a new friend, Noni – but will Noni discover that Poppy is not who she says she is? And will Poppy find Gus before they lose each other forever? Follow Poppy on her adventure in the second of four exciting stories about a Gold Rush girl who dreams of a better life.

It''s 1864 . . . and Poppy lives at bird Creek Mission near Echuca. Poppy hates the Mission, especially now that her brother, Gus, has run away to pan for gold. What if Poppy escaped, too? Would she survive alone in the bush? And would she ever find Gus, whom she loves more than anything in the world? Meet Poppy and join her adventure in the first of four stories about a Gold Rush girl who dreams of a better life.

As Mirabel watched him, she could not bear the thoughts creeping up on her. JJ was in the Chinese army and his mission in Australia would one day be over. Then she would be just like the others, a girl left behind in the wake of war. ''I''m afraid,'' she whispered. ''When the war ends . . . what''s going to happen to us?'' He put his arm around her and stroked her face. She knew he could not answer that question. But she wanted him to lie, to say that he would take her with him, that they would be together always. Melbourne, 1943, and Mirabel is seventeen. She''s leaving school, designing dresses, falling in love. Then fate intervenes, her forbidden affair is discovered, and JJ is posted back to China where a civil war is raging. Despite all warnings, Mirabel sets off for Shanghai to find him . . . Little Paradise is inspired by a true story. Visit betweenthelines.com.au - the destination for Young Adult books.

The flute music stops, and my breath catches in my throat. Silence falls like a veil. Then I hear something - no, I feel it in my chest. ''Steady yourself,'' Por Por whispers. ''It''s here . . . '' When Celeste travels to China to visit her grandmother, she uncovers an incredible family secret. And with this secret comes danger and adventure. If Celeste is to save her family and friends, she must learn to harness her rare and powerful gift as a ghost-hunter. . . From the award-winning author of The Garden of Empress Cassia

Esta fue la primera novela que escribió Gabrielle Wang. Habla de una niña de origen chino, como ella, que vive en Australia. La autora, a través de Mimi, la protagonista, logra mostrarnos qué sentía cuando pequeña: La gente la miraba con curiosidad por su color de piel y sus ojos rasgados. Mimi tiene pocos amigos, pero le encanta dibujar, por eso disfruta pasar hora y horas en el taller de artes con su profesora preferida. Esta maestra siente también un cariño muy especial por Mimi y decide regalarle una caja de ¿pasteles mágicos¿, la única en el mundo. Se trata de tizas, como las que usan los artistas para pintar y, con ellas, Mimi hace dibujos mágicos que logran cambiar su vida y la de los demás. Esta niña solitaria termina rodeada de gente muy diversa gracias al encanto que poseen sus creaciones y al que tiene ella misma al ser sincera y solidaria. Este es un libro que nació de un extraño sueño que tuvo la autora y ahora, sin duda, también te hará soñar a ti.