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Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat
This heartwarming story by award-winning and bestselling author Monica McInerney will delight readers young and old.
Marcie Gill hasn’t had a great start to the Christmas holidays. Her parents aren’t talking to each other and the family business – the Snorkel Bay Caravan Park – is in financial trouble. Her younger brother will only talk about his 23 goldfish and her sister is obsessed with tennis. To make matters worse her gran is in the hospital after a bad fall and won’t be home for ages.
But then something magical happens. Something that involves a Christmas competition, a black cat called George and a wishing stone. Marcie is about to discover that if you wish hard enough, dreams can come true.
Marcie Gill hasn’t had a great start to the Christmas holidays. Her parents aren’t talking to each other and the family business – the Snorkel Bay Caravan Park – is in financial trouble. Her younger brother will only talk about his 23 goldfish and her sister is obsessed with tennis. To make matters worse her gran is in the hospital after a bad fall and won’t be home for ages.
But then something magical happens. Something that involves a Christmas competition, a black cat called George and a wishing stone. Marcie is about to discover that if you wish hard enough, dreams can come true.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published July 1, 2021
6 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Monica McInerney
46 books1,128 followerswww.monicamcinerney.com
facebook.com/monicamcinerneyauthor
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Monica McInerney is the internationally bestselling author of twelve novels including The Godmothers, The Trip of a Lifetime, Hello from the Gillespies, The House of Memories, Lola's Secret, At Home with the Templetons, Family Baggage, The Alphabet Sisters and Those Faraday Girls (named General Fiction Book of the Year in the 2008 Australian Book Industry Awards) and a short story collection, All Together Now. Her first children's book, Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat, will be published in Australia/NZ in November 2021.
Monica, 56, grew up in a family of seven children in the Clare Valley wine region of South Australia, where her father was the railway stationmaster and her mother worked in the local library. Before becoming a full-time writer she worked in children’s television, tourism festivals, book publishing, arts marketing, the music industry and as a waitress, a hotel cleaner, a Kindergym instructor and a temp. For nearly thirty years she and her Irish husband have been moving back and forth between Australia and Ireland. They are currently in Australia.
Visit her website at www.monicamcinerney.com
facebook.com/monicamcinerneyauthor
instagram.com/monicamcinerneyauthor
Monica McInerney is the internationally bestselling author of twelve novels including The Godmothers, The Trip of a Lifetime, Hello from the Gillespies, The House of Memories, Lola's Secret, At Home with the Templetons, Family Baggage, The Alphabet Sisters and Those Faraday Girls (named General Fiction Book of the Year in the 2008 Australian Book Industry Awards) and a short story collection, All Together Now. Her first children's book, Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat, will be published in Australia/NZ in November 2021.
Monica, 56, grew up in a family of seven children in the Clare Valley wine region of South Australia, where her father was the railway stationmaster and her mother worked in the local library. Before becoming a full-time writer she worked in children’s television, tourism festivals, book publishing, arts marketing, the music industry and as a waitress, a hotel cleaner, a Kindergym instructor and a temp. For nearly thirty years she and her Irish husband have been moving back and forth between Australia and Ireland. They are currently in Australia.
Visit her website at www.monicamcinerney.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 20, 2023
Oh my goodness, what a delightful children’s/middle-grade book this was. I loved this book from start to finish. This book is guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of anyone who reads it.
You can’t help but fall in love with ten-year-old Marcie and her family, including her siblings, mum, dad and Gran. And let’s not forget George the cat who is so adorable.
Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat by Aussie author Monica McInerney is a truly fun book that can be enjoyed by all ages. If you are looking for a quick, light and fun read then look no further. I also loved the gorgeous illustrations throughout this book they were so well done and added that extra special touch to the story. Highly recommended.
You can’t help but fall in love with ten-year-old Marcie and her family, including her siblings, mum, dad and Gran. And let’s not forget George the cat who is so adorable.
Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat by Aussie author Monica McInerney is a truly fun book that can be enjoyed by all ages. If you are looking for a quick, light and fun read then look no further. I also loved the gorgeous illustrations throughout this book they were so well done and added that extra special touch to the story. Highly recommended.
December 1, 2021
Ten-year-old Marcie Gill had lived in the Snorkel Bay Caravan Park all her life, as had her siblings along with Mum and Dad, as well as Gran. They owned the park by the beach and Marcie loved her home. But at the moment, Gran was in hospital after a fall on the jetty which had broken her hip. Marcie missed her Gran very much, and daily went to her caravan where George the cat lived with her Gran, to feed and water him, and feel closer to Gran.
On a visit to Gran, she gave Marcie an early Christmas gift – a wishing stone. And from then on Marcie’s life changed. What would she wish for? And would it come true? With school holidays and the festive season on them, Marcie found herself wishing for special things – not what she wanted for Christmas; much more important than that…
Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat is a delightful children’s/middle grade adventure story by Aussie author Monica McInerney and I enjoyed it very much. Perfect for the young people in our lives, set in South Australia around four hours from Adelaide, at a lovely beach and in a caravan park! Marcie and George are a great pair, as they make plans for the future 😊 Highly recommended.
On a visit to Gran, she gave Marcie an early Christmas gift – a wishing stone. And from then on Marcie’s life changed. What would she wish for? And would it come true? With school holidays and the festive season on them, Marcie found herself wishing for special things – not what she wanted for Christmas; much more important than that…
Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat is a delightful children’s/middle grade adventure story by Aussie author Monica McInerney and I enjoyed it very much. Perfect for the young people in our lives, set in South Australia around four hours from Adelaide, at a lovely beach and in a caravan park! Marcie and George are a great pair, as they make plans for the future 😊 Highly recommended.
January 3, 2022
Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat is the first novel for children by Australian author, Monica McInerney. It is illustrated by Danny Snell. Marcie Gill, known for her inquisitive nature, is ten years old and lives with her family at the Snorkel Bay Caravan Park. She loves it there, loves helping with new guests, swimming, painting, and visiting Gran in her little red caravan.
Marcie is happy to meet Helen and her son Claude, who have booked their van for the whole summer, enjoys showing them around, and very interested to know that they are both artists. Claude, though, is very shy, blushing such a lot, but Marcie feels sure they could be good friends by the end of summer, and maybe he can give her some painting tips.
But now it’s two weeks until Christmas, and Marcie is troubled. Gran is still in hospital after breaking her hip weeks ago (will she be home in time for Christmas?); dad has moved out into a rental van; mum is terribly worried about their finances; and the new plumber is going to cost them a lot of money. Her older sister Jemima is tennis-mad; her younger brother Fred is fish-mad; is Marcie the only one to see what’s wrong?
While Gran is away, Marcie looks after her little van, and George, Gran’s beautiful, green-eyed ten-year-old black cat. Marcie feels a little silly chatting to him, but tells him what’s going on, just like she would tell Gran. When Marcie gets the chance to share her concerns with Gran, she is given a special gift: the wishing stone that Gran’s grandmother gave her when she turned ten.
Marcie wonders how the wishing stone might help, but is prepared to give it a go. She also wants to help with the family’s money woes, and both Gran and George have suggestions. Yes, that’s right, George. Marcie is most surprised when he begins offering opinions and ideas. Is she imagining things?
Danny Snell’s illustrations are excellent; Monica McInerney’s story is utterly charming, and even readers well above the recommended reading age are guaranteed to enjoy it. Her characters will certainly appeal to young readers who will easily identify with Marcie and her sibling problems. And George? George is simply a delight. Highly recommended!!
Marcie is happy to meet Helen and her son Claude, who have booked their van for the whole summer, enjoys showing them around, and very interested to know that they are both artists. Claude, though, is very shy, blushing such a lot, but Marcie feels sure they could be good friends by the end of summer, and maybe he can give her some painting tips.
But now it’s two weeks until Christmas, and Marcie is troubled. Gran is still in hospital after breaking her hip weeks ago (will she be home in time for Christmas?); dad has moved out into a rental van; mum is terribly worried about their finances; and the new plumber is going to cost them a lot of money. Her older sister Jemima is tennis-mad; her younger brother Fred is fish-mad; is Marcie the only one to see what’s wrong?
While Gran is away, Marcie looks after her little van, and George, Gran’s beautiful, green-eyed ten-year-old black cat. Marcie feels a little silly chatting to him, but tells him what’s going on, just like she would tell Gran. When Marcie gets the chance to share her concerns with Gran, she is given a special gift: the wishing stone that Gran’s grandmother gave her when she turned ten.
Marcie wonders how the wishing stone might help, but is prepared to give it a go. She also wants to help with the family’s money woes, and both Gran and George have suggestions. Yes, that’s right, George. Marcie is most surprised when he begins offering opinions and ideas. Is she imagining things?
Danny Snell’s illustrations are excellent; Monica McInerney’s story is utterly charming, and even readers well above the recommended reading age are guaranteed to enjoy it. Her characters will certainly appeal to young readers who will easily identify with Marcie and her sibling problems. And George? George is simply a delight. Highly recommended!!
November 26, 2021
Utterly delightful and charming from start to finish.
Normally a talking cat story would be off-putting for me, but McInerney makes it seems so possible and so real, that I went along for the ride, happily.
Set in a seaside caravan park in South Australia, we follow 10-yr old Marcie (and the talking cat, George) through the summer holidays. A summer holiday made unusual, not least of which is because George suddenly starts talking to Marcie.
McInerney has crafted a gentle, funny, heart-warming family story and Danny Snell's illustrations add to the awww factor. Perfect as a family read aloud or for a confident 8+ reader.
Normally a talking cat story would be off-putting for me, but McInerney makes it seems so possible and so real, that I went along for the ride, happily.
Set in a seaside caravan park in South Australia, we follow 10-yr old Marcie (and the talking cat, George) through the summer holidays. A summer holiday made unusual, not least of which is because George suddenly starts talking to Marcie.
McInerney has crafted a gentle, funny, heart-warming family story and Danny Snell's illustrations add to the awww factor. Perfect as a family read aloud or for a confident 8+ reader.
February 4, 2025
Monica McInerney is one of those talented authors that is able to write for both adults and children alike. Marcie Gill And athe Caravan Cat is her debut novel aimed at middle grade readers but will also delight those that are young at heart. We follow Marcie, a ten year old who sets out to save the Snorkel Bay caravan park that is home to her patents, siblings, her gran and her gran's cat George. Over the summer holidays Marcie learns the importance of family,l love, persistence, community and the power of imagination. This heart-warming story will have readers rooting for the Gill family and cheering them on that all will be well. The gorgeous illustrations by Danny Snell add to the whimsy of this charming, smile inducing tale.
January 3, 2022
A super sweet story set in a seaside Australian caravan park. Family and friendship with a hint of magic. This would be a lovely read aloud for lower primary.
March 8, 2024
This book is amazing especially being that it is Monica Mclnerney's first novel! Being the reader it puts you into this amazing mindset of this ten year old girl, Marcie. You seriously can't help falling in love with her and all of the characters in this book. I seriously recommend this from ages 8 to however old. It is more directed as a children's novel but adults can really get into it and enjoy it too. If I could rate this higher i would. I love this!
October 9, 2023
Marcie gill and the caravan cat was a pretty average book, not much very exciting happened. I think it may have been appropriate for younger audiences, maybe aged 7 to 8. I couldn’t connect with this book, and reading it felt like a chore. The only reason I kept reading and didn’t go and pick up a more exciting book, was because of how highly my friend recommended it to me. To me, the ending felt very cliched, with happy endings for all, even if they didn’t win any prizes. I felt the elements of magic and normal human life didn’t gel very well together and were disconnected. However, the way M. McInerney wrote about human feelings and relationships touched me, especially the one between Marcie and her gran, and her growing relationships with her siblings. Overall, this book felt a bit boring and had very cliched resolutions, but maybe would have been perfect for a younger reader.
December 7, 2021
Such a sweet and charming book!
It was a pleasure to read it, in particular now, at Christmas time!
Marcie is such a kind, generous and clever girl. It's like I know her already!
I would love to read more books with this character. It will enchant kids and adults, that's for sure!
I loved the references to Claude Monet, my favourite painter! The illustrations were so beautiful! And the teal colour in the first and last pages, then reappearing in the chapter's titles and drawings!
And now I want one of those colourful, hippy, quirky campervans, with a lot of flowers around, a seaside view and Australian bushes! And don't forget George the cat! :-)
It was a pleasure to read it, in particular now, at Christmas time!
Marcie is such a kind, generous and clever girl. It's like I know her already!
I would love to read more books with this character. It will enchant kids and adults, that's for sure!
I loved the references to Claude Monet, my favourite painter! The illustrations were so beautiful! And the teal colour in the first and last pages, then reappearing in the chapter's titles and drawings!
And now I want one of those colourful, hippy, quirky campervans, with a lot of flowers around, a seaside view and Australian bushes! And don't forget George the cat! :-)
November 7, 2021
What a gorgeous and thoroughly entertaining read. Perfect for the 10-12 year old age readers. I absolutely loved Marcie and the connection that she has with her beloved Gran. And of course now I wish my cat could talk, even though I know if she could then I would never get a word in. Huge congratulations to Monica McInerney on her first children’s book and I can’t wait to read more of Marcie’s adventures in future books. This is a must read not only for the child readers in your house but if you love Monica’s books then definitely read this one as well.
March 4, 2023
I'm always intrigued when adult writers start writing for children, and always want to read those books - even if I haven't read their adult books.
This is a lovely, gentle story about Marcie Gill and her family who run a caravan park on the South Australian coast. The caravan park cat, George, is actually her grandmother's cat. Gran lives at the caravan park too, but in her own caravan, and not the house with Marcie and her parents, and brother and sister.
This is a lovely, gentle story about Marcie Gill and her family who run a caravan park on the South Australian coast. The caravan park cat, George, is actually her grandmother's cat. Gran lives at the caravan park too, but in her own caravan, and not the house with Marcie and her parents, and brother and sister.
November 16, 2021
I bought this book for my 9 year old granddaughter but had to read it myself first
Story of a 10 year old girl who lives in a caravan park with her family - things can be tricky but when you have a magical talking cat to help you out life is good
I loved this book!
Story of a 10 year old girl who lives in a caravan park with her family - things can be tricky but when you have a magical talking cat to help you out life is good
I loved this book!
December 23, 2021
Australian author McInerney has written a book for all ages with delightful illustrations. 10yo Marcie has a busy summer trying to save the caravan park where she lives,with the help of a cat named George and a magical wishing stone her Gran gave her. A fun read.
August 24, 2023
This is a lovely little book. Great characters and really well written. I loved George (always a fan of a talking cat), his weird little laugh when he finds his own jokes funny! So cute. I hope Monica does more children's books.
November 28, 2021
Loved Monica's first children's book Marcie Gill and the Caravan Cat.
I liked everything about the book.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I liked everything about the book.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 9, 2021
This is a very entertaining read for young and old.
January 25, 2022
A lovely children’s story.
May 11, 2022
This is a lovely, charming story.
January 25, 2023
The book was a heart warming story and I absolutely loved the connection to the cat.😀
January 17, 2025
My six-year old daughter and I listened to this book. A lovely, heart-warming story which we both thoroughly loved. It reminded me of Runt.
August 27, 2025
Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat is such a fun read. I loved the story, and probably would have adored it if it came out when I was Marcie’s age. I know it’s hard to rank kids’ books when you’re not in that demographic, but it was charming, readable, engaging, magical, and I really loved the caravan park cat, and Danny Snell’s pictures were so cute. Being a book for children, it could grate that her siblings only have one defining personality trait, but it all works out in the end to the Gill family’s great joy.
February 6, 2022
🐈⬛ You’re definitely never too old to read a children’s novel!
🐈⬛ My kids may be grown up but hey my cats still LOVE a good story especially when it involves a talking cat!
🐈⬛ Set in a seaside South Australian town, it had the perfect amount of magic for me plus some gorgeous illustrations 🌟
🐈⬛ My kids may be grown up but hey my cats still LOVE a good story especially when it involves a talking cat!
🐈⬛ Set in a seaside South Australian town, it had the perfect amount of magic for me plus some gorgeous illustrations 🌟
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews