Quest

Sam Silverthorne #1

by Gary Crew

In the late 19th century, the world was full of mysteries to solve, creatures to discover and unconquered lands to explore... In this new title in the Sam Silverthorne series, Sam escapes from his heartless aunt's care and sets sail to find his father, Sir Arthur Silverthorne, the Queen's Ornithologist, who has failed to return from an expedition to find the prized Silver Bird of Paradise.

226 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Dr Gary Crew, author of novels, short stories and picture books for older children and young adults, began his writing career in 1985, when he was a high school teacher. His books are challenging and intriguing, often based on non-fiction. As well as writing fiction, Gary is a Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Children's and Adult Literature, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and editor of the After Dark series.

He lives with his wife Christine on several acres in the cool, high mountains of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia in a house called 'Green Mansions' which is shaded by over 200 Australian rainforest palms he has cultivated. He enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with his dogs Ferris, Beulah, and Miss Wendy. In his spare time he has created an Australian Rainforest Garden around his home, filled with Australian palms. Gary loves to visit antique shops looking for curios and beautiful objects.

Gary Crew has been awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the year four times: twice for Book of the Year for Young Adult Older Readers (Strange Objects in 1991 and Angel’s Gate in 1993) and twice for Picture Book of the Year with First Light in 1993 (illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe) and The Watertower (illustrated by Steven Woolman) in 1994. Gary’s illustrated book, Memorial (with Shaun Tan) was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book in 2000 and short listed for the Queensland Premier’s Awards. He has also won the Wilderness Society Award, the Whitley Award and the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction.

In the USA he has been twice short listed for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Fiction Award for Youth and the Hungry Minds Review American Children’s Book of distinction. In Europe he has twice been and twice the prestigious White Raven Award for his illustrated books. Among his many Australian awards is the Ned Kelly Prize for Crime Fiction, the New South Wales Premier’s Award and the Victorian Premier’s Award. He has been short listed for both the Queensland Premier’s and the Western Australian Premier’s awards for Fiction.

Reviews

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rollicking adventure with lots of birds that subverts the common collonial attitude of the times.

[Oznasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Silverthorne’s mother died soon after his birth. His father, an ornithologist, spent much of his time in exotic lands searching for specimens of rare birds. Sam was left in the care of his Aunt Bertha who did not treat him kindly. At the age of thirteen he runs away and joins the crew of a sailing ship bound for Asia where he hopes to find his father who has not been heard of for some time. This leads him to many adventures including being captured by head hunters in New Guinea.

The imprint page of the book suggests it is for children aged 12+. I would be happy to recommend it to teenagers much older than 12. As an adult it held my interest all the way through. I only wish books like this were available for English studies back when I was a student. Highly recommended.

[Patrick]

very enjoyable, great use of words

[Aishah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, nice use of words and of a mild suspension.