Most Popular Books by Jackie French

The fourth book in the best-selling Jackie French historical series that places girls centre stage. Ming Qong is convinced that girls have changed the world throughout history. History''s sister, the mysterious Herstory, believes that the more you know about the past, the better you can understand the future. And so she now sends Ming to work as a maid in an isolated English mansion to see a girl change the world in 1829. But which girl? The young mistress of the house is lying in bed, recovering from the measles. Abandoned by her aristocratic mother and family, she may never walk – or even read and write – again. Ming becomes friends with another scullery maid, Hepzibah, who is desperately teaching herself to read and longs to free slaves, as she and her parents had been. But what hope has a scullery maid? From one of Australia''s favourite writers comes an inspiring series for all the young people who will, one day, change the world. AWARDS CBCA Notable Book 2025

A hilarious view of Christmas as seen through the eyes of Mothball the wombat.

Book 2 in the Animal Stars series - where history comes alive through the eyes of special animals. To outsiders, Mary is a queen and a threat, but to her devoted dog Folly, she is his world To the world outside her luxurious prison, Mary Queen of Scots was either a shameless beauty who killed her husband, or the rightful Queen of England and Scotland, tragically held captive by Elizabeth I. But to the dog who loved her, Mary was simply his mistress, and the centre of his world. While Mary desperately plotted to seize both her freedom and the throne, her dog Folly''s world is one of chasing mice behind the tapestries and enjoying turkey legs with quinces for supper. Until the day comes when they try to take his Queen away ... Based on the true story of the dog who was with Mary when she died, the Dog Who Loved a Queen is a fascinating tale of religious bigotry, plots and passion - and the unquestioning loyalty of a small Scottish terrier.

The new title in the critically acclaimed series that explores Australia''s early Colonial secret history In1798 orphaned Barney Bean now has a flourishing farm in the New SouthWales colony and everything he ever dreamed of ... except his childhood friendElsie. Butwhen Elsie falls ill and Barney rushes to be by her side, he finally learns thedeadly secret she has been hiding. Who is this strange and beautiful girl who will not speak? And could Franceever attack the isolated colony? Written byaward-winning author Jackie French and superbly illustrated by Mark Wilson,this fourth book in The Secret Histories series explores extraordinary anduntold stories from Australia''s past, including the female French botanistwho could only work disguised as a man, French and Englishspies, and wars between two empires that threatened even a far-off colony.

As the King of England wavers between duty and love, Sophie knows that she must choose duty. The year is 1936 and the new King Edward VIII wishes to marry American divorcee, and suspected German agent, Wallis Simpson. Top-secret documents that the king must read and sign are being neglected for weeks, and some are even turning up in Berlin. And as Germany grows its military might with many thousands of new fighter planes every year, Britain and its empire are under increasing threat. Can Miss Lily''s most successful protege, Sophie Vaile, the Countess of Shillings, seduce the new king, prevent his marriage to Wallis Simpson, and turn him from fascism? And if a man can sacrifice his life for his country, should a woman hesitate to sacrifice her honour? Based on new correspondence found in German archives, Lilies, Love and Lies is a work of fiction. Or is it? In the fourth title in the Miss Lily series, Jackie French explores one of the most controversial events in history that saw the unthinkable happen when a king chose love over duty.

In this fifth and final book in The Girls Who Changed the World series, Ming Qong discovers who she is, and that she, too, will change the world. Ming has travelled through history to meet girls who have changed the world. However, this time is different as Herstory, History''s sister, promises to reveal to Ming something of her own past: her long-lost mother. When Ming washes up on the icy shores of Nantucket Island in 1836 she is saved by the elderly Mrs Sloe and the wealthy Miss Reynolds, but there is no sign of a woman who might be her mother. The island is home to Maria Mitchell, who at seventeen has already published her first papers on astronomy and will go on to inspire scientists around the world for generations to come. Maria''s future holds extraordinary promise and fame. But what about Ming? And who is her mother? In this final book in the Girls Who Changed the World series, Ming Qong discovers who she is, and how she, too, will change the world.

Companion non fiction title for the bestselling Diary of a Wombat that explores everything you''ve ever wanted to know about wombats. Jackie French loves wombats. She''s been living with and studying them for over 30 years, and they have been featured characters in many of her books. Now her beloved wombats take center stage, as Jackie reveals everything you have ever wanted to know about them - from their zoological history to habitation and habits. Jackie also shares some personal stories from her experiences living with these wonderful creatures. There are also wombat Q&As and wombat jokes sprinkled throughout the book.

Mike is just like any other normal kid - he lives with his mum in an ordinary house, in a small town, where nothing unusual ever happens. His next-door neighbour is Lance Loosley, a boy who''s known at school as ''Loser'' because he''s so unpopular. Loser tells Mike that ''tenterfield'' - the old property nearby, which was recently bought by some foreign investors is being used as a laboratory to run dangerous experiments. Of course, Mike doesn''t believe Loser for a second. He''s always concocting stories to make himself look good. But one day at school, Loser is pushed too far by the other kids. this time the humiliation and teasing is too much, and Loser seeks revenge. He smashes a test tube in class, a test tube that he says contains a deadly virus from the ''tenterfield'' property. Is Loser telling the truth Have they all driven him into becoming a killer Will they all die from the virus Mike is just like any other normal kid - he lives with his mum in an ordinary house, in a small town, where nothing unusual ever happens.His next-door neighbour is Lance Loosley, a boy who''s known at school as ''Loser'' because he''s so unpopular. Loser tells Mike that ''tenterfield'' - the old property nearby, which was recently bought by some foreign investors is being used as a laboratory to run dangerous experiments. Of course, Mike doesn''t believe Loser for a second. He''s always concocting stories to make himself look good.But one day at school, Loser is pushed too far by the other kids. this time the humiliation and teasing is too much, and Loser seeks revenge. He smashes a test tube in class, a test tube that he says contains a deadly virus from the ''tenterfield'' property.Is Loser telling the truth? Have they all driven him into becoming a killer? Will they all die from the virus?

What do you do when your school librarian starts dressing in leopard-skin and goes off chasing dinosaurs? A school excursion to the Big Koala goes horribly wrong when Phredde, Pru and Bruce - and their vampire teacher Mrs Olsen, and Miss Richards, librarian and martial arts expert - head back into the time of the dinosaurs, not to mention giant marsupial lions, a dinosaur with diarrhoea and an exploding volcano. Who will save them? Can one kid, two phaeries, a vampire and a librarian dressed in leopard-skin survive in the past with just a laptop computer, a flying carpet and a plastic spoon? Ages 7-12

Cecil''s mom wears high black boots and makes her enemies walk the plank. Is she really a pirate?

Just shut your eyes and picture yourself walking around the corner. that''s what my friend told me. Somewhere around the corner and you''ll be safe. the demonstration was wild, out of control. Barbara was scared. She saw the policeman running towards her. She needed to escape. She closed her eyes and did precisely that: she walked somewhere around the corner - to another demonstration - to another time. Barbara was lucky she meet young Jim who took her out of this strange, frightening city to his home. It was 1932, when Australia was in the grip of the depression, and Jim lived in a shantytown. But Barbara found a true friend and a true home - somewhere safe around the corner. Ages 12+

The sheep-shearers in Shaggy Gully all have a sheep dog, but the new guy Shaun uses an extremely polite sheep named Pete.

A searing story of passion, betrayal, battles and love, this is Shakespeare''s ''Macbeth'' stripped of superstition, and its power and beauty refined into fewer words where good balances the evil and there is a happy ending - for some. Following on from OPHELIA, QUEEN OF DENMARK and I AM JULIET, this is the third title in the series for young people that focuses on the reinterpretation of Shakespeare''s classic and enduring plays. ''I didn''t mean to do it''. Annie is not a witch, but when her mistress Lady Macbeth calls for a potion to ''stiffen Macbeth''s sinews'', Annie is caught up in plots that lead to murder, kingship and betrayal. Annie must also not only choose between Rab the Blacksmith and Murdoch, Thane of Greymouth, but discover where her loyalty lies. Ages: 10+

Can enemy warriors become your friends? A story of adventure in a new land When Vikings raid and destroy a small coastal village, Hekja and her dog, Snarf, are captured and taken to Greenland. In this harsh and cold land, Hekja becomes a thrall - a slave - to Freydis Eriksdottir, daughter of the infamous Erik the Red. Hekja''s fiery determination earns her the respect of her mistress. But Hekja''s journey was just the beginning, as she and Snarf and other colonists join their leader, Freydis, on a voyage to Vinland to establish a new settlement where more perilous adventures await them... AWARDS Shortlisted - Young People''s History Prize, NSW Premier''s History Awards (2006)

When Viking raiders attack Hekja''s peaceful village and take her and her puppy prisoner, they are at first terrified of the strange new surroundings. Soon, to their amazement, they find their place within the clan and embark on incredible sea voyages.

the body lay at the bottom of the stairs. He wore red and green pyjamas. It took me a second to realise the red was blood. An old man, his eyes were still open. For one dreadful moment I thought he was still alive. But no one can live with a hole where their throat should be... Danielle Forest, Virtual Engineer, was looking forward to spending some quiet time with her lover, in their stone house in the Outlands. But someone, or some thing, keeps murdering members of nearby Utopias. A family of werewolves is under suspicion and Danielle''s friend Ophelia asks her to prove their innocence. Before she can say ''silver bullet'', Danielle is a temporary resident of the tree - home to the apparently friendly werewolves - and fully occupied trying to deal with another bloody murder, the angry local community and some amorous water sprites; not to mention her bone-loving hosts. Are the werewolves the killers Danielle seeks Or are humans more vicious by far this thrilling sequel to In the Blood is the second book in the Outlands trilogy. Ages 16+ the body lay at the bottom of the stairs. He wore red and green pyjamas. It took me a second to realise the red was blood. An old man, his eyes were still open. For one dreadful moment I thought he was still alive. But no one can live with a hole where their throat should be... Danielle Forest, Virtual Engineer, was looking forward to spending some quiet time with her lover, in their stone house in the Outlands. But someone, or some thing, keeps murdering members of nearby Utopias. A family of werewolves is under suspicion and Danielle''s friend Ophelia asks her to prove their innocence. Before she can say ''silver bullet'', Danielle is a temporary resident of the tree - home to the apparently friendly werewolves - and fully occupied trying to deal with another bloody murder, the angry local community and some amorous water sprites; not to mention her bone-loving hosts. Are the werewolves the killers Danielle seeks? Or are humans more vicious by far? this thrilling sequel to In the Blood is the second book in the Outlands trilogy. Ages 16+

From the creators of the delightful QUEEN VICTORIA''S UNDERPANTS comes the story of the first ''traditional'' Christmas, complete with a Christmas tree and presents for the family, as seen from the point of view of Queen Victoria''s dogs. Something strange is happening at the palace and the dogs can''t work it out. the cooks are busy ... are royal visitors arriving? Mysterious parcels are arriving. And most curious of all ... what is that tree doing in Prince Albert''s study? From the creators of the delightful QUEEN VICtORIA''S UNDERPANtS come the story of the first ''traditional'' Christmas, complete with a Christmas tree and presents for the family, as seen from the point of view of Queen Victoria''s dogs.

He sleeps. He eats. He gets bored. He creates havoc wherever he goes! He''s Mothball''s baby - and he''s even cuter, naughtier and more determined than his mum.