Tom Appleby, Convict Boy

Jackie French

Dec 2010 · Sold by HarperCollins Australia

About this ebook

A story of transportation and life in a new world from Australia's Children's Laureate
At the tender age of eight, chimney sweep Tom Appleby is convicted of stealing and sentenced to deportation to Botany Bay. As one of the members of the First Fleet, he arrives in a country that seemingly has little to offer - or little that the English are used to, anyway.

Luckily, not long after tom's arrival in the colony, the fair and kind Sergeant Stanley decides to take on tom as a servant. Together Tom, Sergeant Stanley and his son, Rob, build a house, set up an orchard and a vegetable garden for themselves - and thrive, unlike many others in the new colony.

Jackie French weaves Tom's story in with the story of the development of Australia. She tells of a colony that, despite its natural abundance, cannot offer what the colonists want - familiarity. While the people's health is better than it ever was in England, their morale is low as they wait for news from home.

PRAISE FOR NANBERRY: BLACK BROTHER WHITE

'For really, really good Australian young-adult (and middle-grade) historical fiction, Jackie French has always been a winner ... With Nanberry: Black Brother White she delivers an excellent fictionalised account of the First Fleet's settlement at Sydney Cove ... a powerful novel' -- Australian Bookseller & Publisher, 5 stars

'She is one of few masters who can embed historic characters in rattling good tales, and her meticulous research is seamlessly inserted so that you live the detail rather than learn it. Even if you are not into history, Nanberry will hook you in ... Irresistible for history buffs of any age' -- Good Reading Magazine, 5 stars

'I've been telling all my friends to read this book, and to give it to their kids to read. It's absolutely engrossing' -- Herald Sun

Ratings and reviews

Although the book has a sad pretense, the message throughout the book is one of courage, loyalty and friendship. How they will get you through life in even the hardest of times. Readers will (like me) cry and laugh at different times throughout, but realize that friendship is the most important thing to have. And that a little bit of courage, no matter how small, can get you through a lot. I read this book for school and we had to do an essay on it. It was a beautiful book and a moving story. 5 stars Jackie Well done

I fell in love with this book when my class read it, some scenes involed deasises,sadness and alot of deaths. My freinds even say that I look like tom,what a load of rubbish!!!!

My Auntie sent it over from Australia for me and I really enjoyed it. Very interesting and the message of courage and friendship is great. Well written Jackie French

About the author

Jackie French AM is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator, the 2014–2015 Australian Children's Laureate and the 2015 Senior Australian of the Year. In 2016 Jackie became a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to children's literature and her advocacy for youth literacy. She is regarded as one of Australia's most popular children's authors and writes across all genres — from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction for a variety of age groups. ‘A book can change a child's life. A book can change the world' was the primary philosophy behind Jackie's two-year term as Laureate. jackiefrench.com facebook.com/authorjackiefrench