Novels

Georgiana: Woman of Flowers.

This historical novel reflects colonial living in the 1830’s and 40’s in Australia’s west, and the wonderful life and work of Georgiana Molloy, a true pioneer, who raised a large family and yet managed to send back scrupulously collected specimens of wildflowers of the south western corner of Australia. The young boy, Will Summerfield’s imagined story in struggling Augusta, intersects with the facts of Georgiana’s life, and provides another view of this remarkable woman. The novel is written in praise of Georgiana’s life and largely unsung contribution.
Publisher - Hachette Livre, Australia, 2008

Letters to a Princess

A young girl, Diana Moore, who has lost her mother, writes to Princess Diana about her home life, her friends and her own eating disorder. Though Princess Diana is to die in an accident, she is responsible for saving young Diana’s life.
Publisher - ABC Books, 2007

Caravan Kids

Sally Smyth longs for adventure. Her Dad wins a caravan and she and her family holiday at Palm Beach where she meets Jessie and her limping dog, Jimpy, who become part of an adventure she didn’t quite count on.
Publisher - National Museum of Australia Press, 2006

Volcano Boy (verse novel) The Story Behind the Story

When Alexander is put in the care of his humourless minister uncle, he is taken to Rabaul in Papua New Guinea to live. Unable to grieve for his sister and mother, on the eve of the eruption of a volcano, Alexander can think of nothing but destruction. But Alice, through her love for him, sets out to save him. Written in verse form as a diary, we enter into Alexander's life and see how Papua New Guinea, its people and the threatening landscape of volcanic Rabaul, slowly change him.
Publisher - Lothian, 2002

The Painter The Story Behind the Story

When the Dutch artist, Vincent Van Gogh comes to live in the Yellow House in the town of Arles in the south of France, young Bernard is wrestling with his own desires to experiment with art. Unhappy at school as his art master taunts him as well as dealing with the illness of his beloved Bijou, Bernard finds Vincent both fascinating and inspirational. But when he needs Vincent most, Bernard arrives to a scene of devastation: the artist has cut off part of his own ear and is borne away. Months later, Bernard's belief in Vincent is exonerated as his genius is recognised.
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 2001

The Lenski Kids and Dracula The Story Behind the Story

Three revolting children, Noel, Samantha and Craig, tip their babysitter Kim Kip into the pool. When Kim Kip returns to babysit they are paid out by a visit from someone who looks remarkably like Dracula. Their adoring parents are overwhelmed by the changes in their offspring.
Publisher - Penguin, 1992; re-published Aussie Bite 2001

Dear Venny, Dear Saffron Co-written with Gary Crew

A school assignment is the beginning of a love affair for an Australian boy and an American girl. Both have hurdles in their lives as, through a series of letters, they move closer and closer together. Saffron, with her wealthy aunt is traveling the world in search of a mysterious grand-daughter. In the meantime, Venny is trying to pursue the life of a super model. They both learn that not all promises are kept but in doing so discover their love for each other.
Publisher - Lothian 1999

Ghostop Book 1, Double Sorrow

When Juliet Sunday goes to Rose Cottage to stay with her grandmother, she uncovers clues to a terrible tragedy. A wooden box filled with letters, a mysterious voice, and a ghost are revealed. But why is this happening to her and why isn't her boyfriend Mario who could help her through this, there for her?
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1999

Ghostop Book 2, Twice the Ring of Fire

The ghost of Rosette is making Juliet's life a misery but then Mario re-appears and she feels stronger and braver. That is until yet another ghost appears and Violet, the next-door neighbour warns her not to meddle. But Juliet is hell-bent on unraveling the mystery of the ghost Rosette's death.
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1999

Ghostop Book 3, For Love to Conquer All

The revelations of a family secret, a ghostly threat and a fire in Rose Cottage make Juliet's life difficult. She is getting closer to knowing the whole story but she has to fight to save Mario's life when the final sequence is played out in a terrifying chase at Waverley Cemetry.
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1999

The Extraordinary Magics of Emma McDade

Emma has three magics which make her famous in the town and then help her capture the robbers who hide out in the school canteen. When the world press comes to her door it seems all the magic has gone. But has it?
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1989

Love Me Tender

A young boy, Alan, is forced to live with his bossy aunt who runs a milkbar/caféwhen his mother takes off. When the juke box is put in her milkbar, Alan sees that Elvis Presley songs bring love and then a miraculous change to his aunt. Though his aunt wants to adopt Alan, he holds out hope his mother will one day return.
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1992

All About Anna

Anna is a high-spirited girl who has great ideas, such as teaching her cousins, Harriet, Lizzie and Christopher to fly! Her ideas generally lead to trouble. But she's always good fun even though her cousins often have to pay for her plans of action!
Publisher - Reed Heinemann, 1980- re-published Hodder Headline, 1999

Friends and Secrets

Jessica's best friend leaves the school and she feels alone in a crowded playground. Paolo is shy and awkward - but he has a delightful secret he shares with Jessica that changes everything.
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1985

Chrysalis

This is the sequel toThunderwith in which we meet Lara and her family four years on. In her final year at school Lara has to decide if she leaves her first boyfriend, Stan for the exciting Jake, of the Crimson River group. At the same time she must work out a way to help the troubled Marna, her new friend. A night of terror on the farm for Lara and Pearl–when a gang of out-of-town bikies arrive, becomes a night of revelations for Lara.
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1999

Valley Under the Rock

A holiday down in the Megalong Valley with her brother and author mother, has Zoe trying to hide the anxiety she feels about her new boyfriend. Then Connie, a brash young interloper arrives to add to her tension. The truth about her mother's own love story is revealed and this, as well as Connie's story, help Zoe to face up to the future.
Publisher- Reed Heinemann, 1993- republished Hodder Headline, 1999

The Blue Dress

Stories chosen and edited by Libby Hathorn. A selection of stories by some of Australia's best-known and best-loved authors inspired by a Brian Dunlop painting of a young girl in a blue dress, standing on a beach. (The painting is an Australia Post postage stamp)
Publisher -Reed Heinemann, 1991 - republished Hodder Headline,1999

Thunderwith

Lara hardly remembers her father until the death of her mother, when she has to go and live with him and his new wife, the enigmatic Gladwyn and their four children, Pearl, Garnet Opal and Jasper. She feels an intruder and fears she will never find love. Then she meets Thunderwith the mysterious dog who comes and goes and somehow seems to give her the strength to go on. But the bully Gowd Gadrey does his best to spoil this, bringing Lara into the family in a way she never expected.Thunderwith is now a Hallmark movie entitledThe Echo of Thunder - available on video atAmazon.com here
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1989

The Spirited Boy

Carlos is tortured as is his mother and sister, by the scorn and control of the powerful Pablo, his grandfather. When Pablo dies it seems he continues to exert control even from the grave. That is until Carlos decides there is a gruesome way to get even and at last be free.
Publisher - Lothian, 1998

Rift

Vaughan must face a terrifying underwater swim to gain entry into the gang. But he does not count on becoming a pawn for an evil Pastor who has caused a rift in the dying fishing town. He must plan a desperate escape bid.
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1997

The Climb

Young Peter must climb the façade of a building but at the same time he must face the truth about the changing values of the society he lives in. 'Ethnic cleansing' is part of the evil regime. Is he really man enough to face what lies ahead? And what should he do about the person hiding at the top of the building?
Publisher - Penguin, Australia, 1996

Looking out for Sampson

When Cheryl comes to stay she tells Bronwyn that her little brother Sampson is the favourite child. Bronwyn has to put up with Cheryl's boastful ways but when Sampson is lost on Bondi Beach, she realises what her little brother means to her.
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1987

What a Star!

How on earth do you win fame and fortune (become a star!) when you and your best friend have had a fight? Try singing, roller-blading and street painting at the local shopping mall. Then try your friend again!
Publisher - Penguin, 1995

Feral Kid

With no family life, Robbie has come to live on the streets of Sydney. On the first day he is witness to a mugging of an old woman in a park when he is befriended by the tough 'streetie' called Pale. Who is friend and who is foe in this life on the streets? And what impact will the old woman Iris have on his life? Trouble with the police puts Robbie on the run.
Publisher - Hodder Headline, 1994

So Who Needs Lotto?

Cosmo and everyone else thinks the new girl at school, Denise, is a pain. But then he finds they share an interest in dogs and they become friends. It proves the point that the best things in life are free.
Publisher - Penguin 1991

Jezza Sez

Jezza always has a myriad of good ideas and other kids seem to follow him. His scheme to buy a bright yellow inflatable boat sometimes leads to trouble but he does manage to save money. Just when he finally has enough, he learns that his mother needs some money for something more important than his boat. What is Jezza to do?
Publisher -Collins Angus&Robertson, 1991