Our Australian Girl: The Grace Stories

by Sofie Laguna, Lucia Masciullo (Illustrator)

Four books in one.

It's 1808...

and Grace's world is about to change - from her tough life as a mudlark on the River Thames in London, to the adventures and challenges she faces as a servant girl in a new country. Journey with Grace across all four exciting stories about a convict girl who's given a second chance.

Dreamy, thoughtful, brave and compassionate, Grace is an unforgettable Australian Girl.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

413 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2013

About the author

Sofie Laguna originally studied to be a lawyer at the University of New South Wales, but after deciding law was not for her, she moved to Melbourne to train as an actor. Sofie worked for a number of years as an actor at the same time as completing a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Sofie is now an author and playright writing for both adults and children.

Her many books for young people have been named Honour Books and Notable Books in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards and have been shortlisted in the Queensland Premier’s Awards. She has been published in the US and the UK and in translation throughout Europe and Asia.

Her picture book, On Our Way to the Beach, was included in the White Raven 2005 annual selection of outstanding international children’s books by the International Youth Library (Associated Project if UNESCO)

In 2008 Sofie released her first novel for adults, One Foot Wrong, to international acclaim. It was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and long-listed for the Miles Franklin Award. Screen rights for the book have been optioned and Sofie has recently completed the screenplay.

Sofie continues to write for a wide readership, from picture books for very young children, to series for older readers, to novels for adults.

Sofie lives in Melbourne with her partner and their young son.

Reviews

[Catherine Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It was recommended by my friend who teaches Year 4 as a resource to the HASS curriculum. Grace's journey starts as a Mudlark, a beggar child that scours the Thames River in London in 1808 looking for anything that might be sold for food. She is arrested for theft and transported to Australia to serve the remainder of her 7 year sentence. What a great story! It would be a wonderful read aloud to students as the story is quite gripping and exciting. The kids would really enjoy this I think. This edition contains the 4 books of the Grace Series. Read them all - you will love it.

[H.M. Waugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

These four stories were fab, making the early history of Australia and convict settlement easy for kids to handle. I'm no expert, but they also seem quite accurate as to the conditions at the time. Importantly, they're also respectful of the impacts of the invasion on the Aboriginal people.

And talk about an engaging voice!

Age wise, I'm not going to be handing it over to my 7 year-old just yet. They love history, but there are also other minor themes that I, personally, think would be better for a slightly older audience. These include drinking and drunkenness, hints at relationships between older convicts, and a birth scene. There is still (rightly) a lot of grit in these books. But a lot of magic as well.

Grace is strong, intelligent and compassionate, and models brilliant empathy.

[Michelle Hickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heart-breaking story of a young orphan reared by an uncaring uncle who survives London in the beginning of the 19th century by finding bits and bobs in the muddy banks of the Thames. Through a series of unfortunate events Grace ends up sentenced to seven years servitude transported to the colony of New South Wales. Laguna describes the squalor of the convict conditions and the hardships faced by settlers. Given the four short chapter books which form this tale are aimed at mid-primary age girls, the outcomes are more positive than history would suggest. Throughout all of Grace's ordeals she is taken under the wing of various older woman which protects her from perhaps the more ruthless realities of the times.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always good to be reminded of the first white settlers in Australia. It is almost unimaginable what they went through. However, in this case they end up in a pretty good place. Even though it is set a long time ago, the book has a lovely Australian feel.

[Janet Breese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think its a really fun book

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book series so much as a kid! It’s seriously awesome and I loved every part of reading them over and over! Really recommend for young girls to read!

[Claire Jane Jarman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever!

This book has drama entertainment sadness scary ness & happiness
I think it good & everyone should read it! It really is the best book ever!

[Eliza Woodhouse]

I'm so happy they had a bonus chapter

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this back when I was 13 and it's always stuck with me over the years, now at 21 I've read it again and it still lives up to how I remember it being!

[Ille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it is one of my favourites.
My favourite part of 'The Grace Stories' is when the man character is adopted.
Girls who love history will really enjoy this book.
I would read it again and highly recommend it!

[Jazzy ! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book