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Outback Wonder
The Australian outback is not a place seventeen-year-old Hannah would choose to visit.
But when her parents separate and her father moves to the Flinders Ranges, she’s left with little choice but to go.
Expecting only boredom and isolation, Hannah is all the more surprised when she meets Sam, a friendly young pilot with a secret of his own.
A sudden change of plans, sees them travelling together to remote areas where Hannah is forced to change her perspective and face her fears.
Lost in these unfamiliar surroundings, Hannah realises that the worst situations can sometimes lead to the best discoveries.
But when her parents separate and her father moves to the Flinders Ranges, she’s left with little choice but to go.
Expecting only boredom and isolation, Hannah is all the more surprised when she meets Sam, a friendly young pilot with a secret of his own.
A sudden change of plans, sees them travelling together to remote areas where Hannah is forced to change her perspective and face her fears.
Lost in these unfamiliar surroundings, Hannah realises that the worst situations can sometimes lead to the best discoveries.
250 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2017
108 people want to read
About the author
Juliet M. Sampson
7 books149 followersJuliet M. Sampson is an international award-winning author. Dance Demons, her third novel won 2016 Book of the Year in the Reader’s Choice Awards in the AusRomToday competition. She was also one of ten finalists for 2016 Author of the Year in the same competition. Her other three novels are Behind the Mask, Bon Voyage! and Outback Wonder.
Her debut picture book Grace's Mystery Seed was a Finalist in the 2019 International Book Awards. It also was shortlisted for the 2019 Speech Pathology Award.
Cato's Can Can Juliet's second picture book was released in 2021.
Her next book Folow the Rainbow will be released in 2023.
After several successful years as a primary teacher, Juliet decided to made a commitment to full time writing and became a novelist as she wanted her stories to reach a wider audience. As well as writing books, Juliet has written various articles for magazines and online blogs.
She loves to inspire others and her quote ‘spread sunshine and inspiration,’ has reached a global audience.
Juliet lives in Melbourne near the bay where she is surrounded by family and friends. Her other passions are sunflowers, travelling, dancing and sketching.
To find out more please visit her website www.julietmsampson.com.au
Her debut picture book Grace's Mystery Seed was a Finalist in the 2019 International Book Awards. It also was shortlisted for the 2019 Speech Pathology Award.
Cato's Can Can Juliet's second picture book was released in 2021.
Her next book Folow the Rainbow will be released in 2023.
After several successful years as a primary teacher, Juliet decided to made a commitment to full time writing and became a novelist as she wanted her stories to reach a wider audience. As well as writing books, Juliet has written various articles for magazines and online blogs.
She loves to inspire others and her quote ‘spread sunshine and inspiration,’ has reached a global audience.
Juliet lives in Melbourne near the bay where she is surrounded by family and friends. Her other passions are sunflowers, travelling, dancing and sketching.
To find out more please visit her website www.julietmsampson.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 27, 2017
Outback Wonder by Juliet M Sampson is set in the Flinders Ranges where the stars shine brightly in the desert sky and the sun glows over the colours of the Australian Outback.
You'll go on sunset tours with Hannah, the main character who meets up with the local bush pilot, Sam.
Finding the spirit of the outback including Akubra hats, bush tucker and indigenious culture.
You'll take a visit to Coober Pedy to open cut mines where you discover underground living, a cave restaurant and experience opals significant to the area.
Sometimes you need to just wish on a shooting star!
Love can come out of nowhere when least expected.
Outback Wonder by Juliet M Sampson comes straight to you from the true heart of the Australian Outback.
Find your right moment and happy reading!
Category: Young Adult Fiction
Note: Order your book through any major bookstores e.g. QBD or Dymocks in Australia or direct through the Author's website www.julietmsampson.com.au
You'll go on sunset tours with Hannah, the main character who meets up with the local bush pilot, Sam.
Finding the spirit of the outback including Akubra hats, bush tucker and indigenious culture.
You'll take a visit to Coober Pedy to open cut mines where you discover underground living, a cave restaurant and experience opals significant to the area.
Sometimes you need to just wish on a shooting star!
Love can come out of nowhere when least expected.
Outback Wonder by Juliet M Sampson comes straight to you from the true heart of the Australian Outback.
Find your right moment and happy reading!
Category: Young Adult Fiction
Note: Order your book through any major bookstores e.g. QBD or Dymocks in Australia or direct through the Author's website www.julietmsampson.com.au
December 18, 2017
This book was:
- Written in the third person. It just felt really disconnected and a bit odd.
- Dumbed down. Hannah is supposed to be in year 12, but the whole story read like she was 12 YEARS OLD instead. Even the descriptions of her school and assignments fit Hannah being in year 7.
- Except for her texting skills, that is. Those could easily have been written by my parents.
- Ugh, that blurb! I went in expecting drama, maybe a plane crash or something? I was sorely disappointed.
- Is now a good time to mention that only zoos in Queensland can let you hold koalas for photos?
- Why did Hannah's parents split up?
- I'm disappointed that we never get to hear Hannah's mum's take on all this.
- Let's talk about Sam. It was really creepy that this girl who reads like a child is into this guy who is over 18. Sure, it's not as creepy if she really was 17, I felt like maybe they changed her age to insert this romance into the story.
- And finally, the outback wonder itself didn't really feel that special to me. I grew up on a farm in an area where kangaroos, wallabies and eagles are animals you encounter regularly and I was hoping for something a bit more. . . EXOTIC. I also think the book would have benefited from having pictures and possibly a map that showed Hannah's journey.
- Overall, a bit of a disappointment.
- Written in the third person. It just felt really disconnected and a bit odd.
- Dumbed down. Hannah is supposed to be in year 12, but the whole story read like she was 12 YEARS OLD instead. Even the descriptions of her school and assignments fit Hannah being in year 7.
- Except for her texting skills, that is. Those could easily have been written by my parents.
- Ugh, that blurb! I went in expecting drama, maybe a plane crash or something? I was sorely disappointed.
- Is now a good time to mention that only zoos in Queensland can let you hold koalas for photos?
- Why did Hannah's parents split up?
- I'm disappointed that we never get to hear Hannah's mum's take on all this.
- Let's talk about Sam. It was really creepy that this girl who reads like a child is into this guy who is over 18. Sure, it's not as creepy if she really was 17, I felt like maybe they changed her age to insert this romance into the story.
- And finally, the outback wonder itself didn't really feel that special to me. I grew up on a farm in an area where kangaroos, wallabies and eagles are animals you encounter regularly and I was hoping for something a bit more. . . EXOTIC. I also think the book would have benefited from having pictures and possibly a map that showed Hannah's journey.
- Overall, a bit of a disappointment.
October 11, 2017
Another wonderful book from the lovely Juliet M Sampson. I loved this book just as much as her previous ones. I really enjoyed exploring Australia!!
November 8, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Outback Wonder. It was a touching story. Many readers could relate to Hannah.
I also liked Jake and Sam. The characters felt so real.
When reading the book I felt like I was there in the places with the characters in the book. The description were so real.
I also learnt new facts about the Outback.
Another great story and book Juliet.
I also liked Jake and Sam. The characters felt so real.
When reading the book I felt like I was there in the places with the characters in the book. The description were so real.
I also learnt new facts about the Outback.
Another great story and book Juliet.
January 25, 2018
A delightful Coming of Age from this popular young author, Juliet M. Sampson, this book set in the Australian outback is bound to be a hit with young teenage girls in particular.
January 9, 2018
Contrary to her expectations Hannah finds in the Outback the perfect setting to rekindle old friendships and make new ones.
The rising and setting of the sun, the starry skies, the silence and the dusty plains provide a perfect catharsis, a new outlook on life, and a decision to move on.
May this book inspire those readers who are sitting on the fence, before they take that mighty leap, however big or small that life may bring.
Congratulations to Juliet Sampson on this very engaging work
The rising and setting of the sun, the starry skies, the silence and the dusty plains provide a perfect catharsis, a new outlook on life, and a decision to move on.
May this book inspire those readers who are sitting on the fence, before they take that mighty leap, however big or small that life may bring.
Congratulations to Juliet Sampson on this very engaging work
February 12, 2023
My Thoughts 💭
I was immediately drawn to this book knowing it was set in the Flinders ranges (Leigh Creek) a few hours from where I currently live and only an hour from where I used to live
It was definitely a fast and easy read and a heartwarming story of a girl discovering the beauty of the outback with her father while learning so much along the way and making a friend named Sam. They also explored Cooper Pedy & Arkaroola and it had alot of knowledge and history of these beautiful places in the story aswell that made it all the more interesting.
It made me laugh that Hannah refused to try Kangaroo or any real bush tucker though 🤣
I will admit some conversations were a bit repetitive but I still enjoyed Hannah's journey and loved the ending! Would love to see a sequel of this book 😊
I was immediately drawn to this book knowing it was set in the Flinders ranges (Leigh Creek) a few hours from where I currently live and only an hour from where I used to live
It was definitely a fast and easy read and a heartwarming story of a girl discovering the beauty of the outback with her father while learning so much along the way and making a friend named Sam. They also explored Cooper Pedy & Arkaroola and it had alot of knowledge and history of these beautiful places in the story aswell that made it all the more interesting.
It made me laugh that Hannah refused to try Kangaroo or any real bush tucker though 🤣
I will admit some conversations were a bit repetitive but I still enjoyed Hannah's journey and loved the ending! Would love to see a sequel of this book 😊
June 10, 2019
This lovely YA coming of age story was set in outback Australia, where the word “sun burnt country” is truly lived. We follow the Hannah who is our protagonist and as we follow Hannah’s story, it feels like we are on a grand tour of the Australian Outback discovering the true scenery of Australia which is what I really liked about this book. This is the fourth book I have read by Juliet M. Sampson and I have to say I have enjoyed each book for different reasons and I feel Juliet grows even more as an author upon each book she releases. As for this book, I found it was very engaging, easy to follow and it is definitely the setting that really caught my attention. I grew up in Sydney spending all my time in the suburbs and the city however my family are from country NSW so this book was like a home coming for me. This book really took the reader back to basics but it was a sacred simplicity that reminds us that life’s pleasures can be found in the simplest places. Congrats to Juliet for releasing this book, many thanks for sending me a copy!!
November 30, 2018
Review coming soon. I loved the story.
July 24, 2019
It's a book you must read. This book opens your eyes and gives you new experiences!
May 3, 2024
This is such an awkward read. The conversations between characters feel robotic and odd, and the jump from thought to thought in the main charterers head is disconnected. The main character "Hannah" is portrayed as a final year school student but her demeanor is more like a 12 year old.
The "wonder" of the outback almost feels insulting. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but it was just more awkward conversations.
The "wonder" of the outback almost feels insulting. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but it was just more awkward conversations.
October 10, 2018
Loved the story its very interesting
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2019
The author command of language has improved since her first book. This book would be enjoyed most by pre teens and younger teens, rather then the usual fans of YA market
December 19, 2017
I've never been to the Outback and this story makes me want to go and visit.
Like Hannah, I've always been a city girl. My holidays have always been to major cities. I'm now in my early 20s and could totally relate to this book in so many ways. For example, in Year 12, I was given an assignment on water conservation. It allowed me to think about remote areas.
Even though I have never travelled in a small plane, I could relate to the experience of air travel and the descriptions used about aerial views.
Oh and Sam. This reminded me of my first crush. It does not matter what age you are. There is a sense of unsureness and that fluttery feeling in your stomach. I totally loved his character.
Written in the third person was a good idea. So many Y.A. books these days seem to be written in first person.
I love animals and enjoyed reading about them. When Hannah reflected on holding a koala on a family holiday, I could relate to this as I did it too. Special mention to Bessie for all the dog lovers.
This is a book you must read as sometimes the simplest pleasures are often the best.
Loved this story. Give it a go.
Like Hannah, I've always been a city girl. My holidays have always been to major cities. I'm now in my early 20s and could totally relate to this book in so many ways. For example, in Year 12, I was given an assignment on water conservation. It allowed me to think about remote areas.
Even though I have never travelled in a small plane, I could relate to the experience of air travel and the descriptions used about aerial views.
Oh and Sam. This reminded me of my first crush. It does not matter what age you are. There is a sense of unsureness and that fluttery feeling in your stomach. I totally loved his character.
Written in the third person was a good idea. So many Y.A. books these days seem to be written in first person.
I love animals and enjoyed reading about them. When Hannah reflected on holding a koala on a family holiday, I could relate to this as I did it too. Special mention to Bessie for all the dog lovers.
This is a book you must read as sometimes the simplest pleasures are often the best.
Loved this story. Give it a go.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews