By Pamela Rushby

With illustrations by Fiona McDonald

ISBN: 9780648815426

RRP: $17.99

Published by Eagle Books, October 2021

About the book:

Nine-year-old city newspaper seller Roddy becomes involved in the infamous Battle of Brisbane in 1942: when American and Australian servicemen fought against each other, rioting in the streets of the city for two days.

When Roddy helps an American serviceman who’s been involved in the fighting, he never expects that the battle will become covered up – a wartime secret. Never to be reported in the newspapers he sells. Or that his actions will result in a new life for him after the war – all the way to the USA.

A fast-moving historical novel for middle-grade readers by multi-award-winning author Pamela Rushby.

LONGLISTED FOR 2022 ARA HISTORICAL NOVEL PRIZE, CYA CATEGORY

LONGLISTED FOR 2022 BOOKLINKS AWARDS FOR CHILDREN’S HISTORICAL FICTION

About the author:

Pamela Rushby is the author of over 200 books for children and young adults, as well as children’s TV scripts, documentaries, short stories and freelance journalism. Pam has been an advertising copywriter, pre-school teacher, and producer of educational television, audio and multimedia. She has won several awards, including the NSW Premier’s Ethel Turner Prize, five CBCA Notable Books – and a bag of gold coins at a film festival in Iran! Pam believes the strangest, most riveting, heart-breaking, laugh-out-loud stories aren’t fiction. They’re real. They come from history. And she loves tripping over unusual incidents from history – and then writing about them. Her website is www.pamelarushby.com

About the illustrator

Fiona McDonald is an illustrator, author and doll-maker with over 12 books published, including acclaimed picture books, a graphic novel, and non-fiction books. She is also half of the duo who write under the name of Phoebe McArthur, whose first book, the illustrated chapterbook Lucy Newton, Little Witch(published by Christmas Press)  was shortlisted for the 2019 Speech Pathology Awards.